The Bones of Columbus – a Cuban Halloween Story

O.K. They don't celebrate Halloween in Havana (unless you stumble across a party of embargo-busting Americans defying the travel ban). But from the history archives of Old Havana Foods comes this spooky Caribbean tale.
Legend has it the bones of Christopher Columbus are buried in Havana. Of course, historians in the Dominican Republic say the explorer’s remains are in Santo Domingo. And the Spaniards are convinced they’ve got the D-N-A evidence to prove Columbus is in Seville. For centuries now, it's been one of history's most famous unanswered questions.
But through the decades, sun-burned Havana tourists (groggy from too many frijoles negros and Cuba libres) have been startled to see an other-worldly apparition, slipping through the shadows of La Habana Vieja. Believers swear it's the ghost of Christopher Columbus.
When he died in 1506, Columbus' will revealed his desire to be buried in the New World. After argument and disagreement, eventually the Spaniards transferred his bones to Hispaniola.
But when the French took control of the Caribbean island in 1795, the explorer's remains were rushed to Havana (the Spanish wanted to prevent his famous bones from falling into the hands of France). Cuban history records show that for more than a century, Columbus' weary bones got a well-deserved rest in Havana.
When the Spanish lost colonial Cuba in 1898, however, his well-traveled remains were on the move again. They shipped Columbus’ dusty bones over the Atlantic - back to the place where he first embarked on his famous expeditions - Spain.
But no matter what the Spanish may claim, to this day, many Habaneros still believe that at least a part of Christopher Columbus’ remains are in Havana. Feliz Halloween everybody! From your friends at Old Havana Foods!

Bacardi Bowl - American College Football in Havana?

(Chicago) To escape this beautiful and relentless 2010 winter, we dream of Old Havana.  Our spicy black bean Chili Cubano heats things up!  Are you ready for some futbol?

Give your tailgate party a dash of Old Havana!  And read about Cuba's Bacardi Bowl.  And one of the bigesst (and least known) upsets in College football history.  The year was 1937 when things went loco!  Havana shocked national power house, Old Miss. 

Deep from the archives of Old Havana Foods comes this piece of football history.  And the story of the Cigar Bowl, otherwise known as the Rumba Bowl or Bacardi Bowl.    

For the better part of 40 years, thousands of football fanáticos flocked to Havana's La Tropical Stadium to see an event that historians say was alternately called the "Cigar Bowl," the "Rhumba Bowl," or officially the "Bacardi Bowl." Beginning in 1907, the capital city played host to some of America's gridiron giants for an annual holiday sports "espectaculo" or spectacle (see mmbolding.com or wikpedia for more details).

The inaugural bowl game kicked off on a balmy Christmas Day, 1907. Sports historians say a crowd of 10,000 came to cheer the home team against Louisiana State University. Although the Tigers mauled the inexperienced islanders, 57-to-nothing, sports-crazy Habaneros were hooked!

Things got really "loco" 14 years later when the Cubans engineered a football coup de' etat, turning the tables on the American "futbolistas." On December 31st, 1921, a team of islanders pulled one of the biggest (and least-known) upsets in college football history. The University of Havana locked horns with the highly-vaunted "Old Miss" squad. The mighty Rebels from the University of Mississippi were heavily favored. But the "Habaneros" stunned the football world with a 14-to-0 upset win!

The fnal score hit the American mainland like a Tsunami, sending shockwaves through the football-loving-South. Old Miss fans reading the scores back home figured it was a typo on the telegraph wires. But make no mistake - the Cubans were for real.

Sadly, the last Bacardi Bowl was played in 1946. Though the island's turbulent political climate forced a suspension of the holiday event, older Havana sports fanáticos fondly remember the day the Cubans shocked the sports world. And no doubt the Cubanos eagerly await the return of American football.


In the meantime, enjoy the college bowl games with a big bowl of Chili Cubano. A shot of Bacardi might not be a bad idea either. Check our Mojito recipe...
Authentic Old Havana Mojito
(1 serving)

Juice from 1 freshly squeezed lime
3 sprigs of fresh mint leaves
2 ounces white rum
4 ounces seltzer / club soda or sparkling mineral water
2 teaspoons sugar
finely crushed ice

Directions: Using a spoon, gently crush the mint leaves with the sugar against the side of your glass. Add the rum, lime juice and seltzer in the same glass and then pour into a cocktail shaker and shake to combine the flavors. Pour into a clean serving glass for your happy guests. Two or three of these and you'll be dancing the mambo! But remember - always please celebrate responsibly - don't dance and drive at the same time!

To make your football parties amazing, order our all-natural Chili Cubano now at Old Havana Foods!!

Cuban "Butterfly Steak" Recipe

The "Butterfly" Steak
(Bistec de Palomilla)

Said to be Cuban great-grandfather Julio's all-time favorite - flavorful Bistec de Palomilla. Makes the perfect compliment to famous Old Havana Foods "frijoles negros" (Black Beans).

Centuries ago on the island of Cuba, Bistec de Palomilla got it's name because of the way they'd prepare the meat before cooking. You pound the meat with a hammer to spread its "wings" like a Butterfly (creating a thin but rather large steak). But it's the authentic Old Havana seasoning that makes it sizzle!

Here's how you prepare (4) servings of this savory Old Havana classic. You'll need a meat hammer and the following ingredients:

1 pound of lean Top Sirloin (about 1 inch thick)
3 Garlic cloves (peeled)
1/2 cup extra virgin Olive Oil
1/2 teaspoon freshly-ground Black Pepper
1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt
1/2 cup of finely-chopped onion
1 tablespoon freshly-squeezed Lime Juice
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice
3 garlic cloves (peeled)
1/2 cup finely-chopped fresh Parsley

1. Press your (3) Garlic cloves and combine with salt and pepper into a paste. In a container large enough to marinade your steaks, add 1 tablespoon Lime juice and 1 tablespoon of Orange juice (but don't add the meat just yet!)
2. Lightly pound the steak with a meat hammer (the thinner the better!). Cut into four pieces then drop into container with your garlic marinade, cover and refrigerate 30 minutes-to-an-hour.
3. Add Olive Oil to heavy skillet - heating on MEDIUM. When oil reaches sizzling point, sear your steaks on both sides for a few minutes. Transfer the cooked steaks to a serving platter.
4. Take the left over marinade from the marinade container and add to your skillet, stirring together steak juices for a few minutes to make a savory sauce.
5. Pour sauce over steaks. Top off each steak with 1 tablespoon of finely chopped onion and 1 tablespoon of parsley.
6. Watch with delight as your guests devour the most flavorful steaks they've ever tasted. Serve with legendary Old Havana Foods Black Beans for an authentic and memorable Cuban-style feast!
Buen Provecho!

Looking for more recipes, stories and great Cuban-style food?
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