Q 01/05

Cuban sofrito, the sautéed base of most of the island's beans and stews, combines onion, garlic and what?

A) Sweet corn

B) Bell pepper

C) Green peas

D) Carrot

Answer · why

B) Bell pepper

Bell pepper completes the base: cooks soften it with onion, stir in mashed garlic, and build ropa vieja, picadillo or a pot of black beans on top.

Q 02/05

Which fruit do Cubans call fruta bomba, steering clear of its usual Spanish name?

A) Soursop

B) Papaya

C) Tamarind

D) Passion fruit

Answer · why

B) Papaya

Papaya: its usual Spanish name doubles as a vulgarity in Cuban slang, and the fruit goes by fruta bomba instead, even in a milkshake.

Q 03/05

What distinguishes Moros y Cristianos from plain arroz con frijoles?

A) Lentils instead of beans

B) Rice and beans served cold

C) Beans and rice cooked in one pot

D) Coconut milk in the rice

Answer · why

C) Beans and rice cooked in one pot

Beans and rice cooked in one pot make Moros y Cristianos; plain arroz con frijoles cooks the rice on its own and ladles the finished beans on top.

Q 04/05

Moros y Cristianos uses black beans; which beans make eastern Cuba's congrí?

A) White beans

B) Lima beans

C) Pinto beans

D) Red beans

Answer · why

D) Red beans

Red beans make congrí in eastern Cuba, though the two names are swapped so often that recipe writers warn cooks against confusing the dishes.

Q 05/05

What does "ropa vieja" literally mean?

A) Old clothes

B) Torn meat

C) Sunday stew

D) Poor man's beef

Answer · why

A) Old clothes

Old clothes: the name is said to come from the tattered look of the shredded beef, and in a folktale a poor man's stewed garments turn into the meat.