Cuban Thanksgiving From Our Latin Table

A Culinary Journey Through Latin America

Fernando Saralegui's "Our Latin Table" is a treasure trove of culinary delights that seamlessly blend Spanish, Cuban, and American cooking styles. The book is not just about recipes; it's about creating an atmosphere of warmth and togetherness. With step-by-step instructions, even those intimidated by Latin-American cooking can master these dishes.

Essential Ingredients for a Latin Pantry

Before diving into the recipes, Saralegui provides a comprehensive list of essential ingredients for a well-stocked Latin pantry. This includes staples like:

• Adobo seasoning
• Sofrito
• Plantains
• Black beans
• Cumin

Cuban Bar Essentials

No Latin celebration is complete without a well-stocked bar. The book offers a guide to Cuban bar essentials, including:

• Rum
• Mojito ingredients
• Cuban beer

Recommended Tunes

To set the perfect atmosphere, Saralegui even includes a list of recommended tunes, featuring classic Latin music that will transport you straight to Havana.

Menus for Every Occasion

The book features seventeen meticulously curated menus, each designed for a specific occasion. Here are a few highlights:

• New Year's Eve
• Good Luck Fishing Trip
• Christening Lunch
• Midweek Dinner
• Easter Lunch
• Three-Day-Weekend Dinner
• Softball Mixed-Grill Picnic
• Fourth of July Latin Clambake
• Engagement Party Buffet
• Traditional Late Lunch in the Campo
• Early Fall Gathering, Stormy
• Surfing and Refueling
• Cuban Thanksgiving
• Monday Night Football Party
• Christmas Eve Mariscada
• Christmas Family Brunch
• Spanish Winter Family Dinner

These menus demonstrate a determined effort to make any meal an event worthy of celebration.

Cuban Thanksgiving: A Fusion Feast

One of the standout menus is the Cuban Thanksgiving, which features a unique blend of traditional American and Cuban flavors. Here's a detailed look at the recipes:

Ingredients

Turkey

• 16-pound turkey, fresh or defrosted
• 3-4 cups Cornbread Stuffing (recipe follows)
• Kitchen string
• Cumin Rub (recipe follows)
• 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter

Cumin Rub

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons cumin
• 5 tablespoons dried oregano
• 3 tablespoons smoked paprika (hot)
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 2 tablespoons fresh-cracked pepper
• 1/4 cup olive oil

Cornbread Stuffing

• 4 8 1/2-ounce boxes cornbread mix
• 1 cup toasted pine nuts
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large Spanish onions, chopped
• 10 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 small (7 ounces) chorizo sausages, diced
• 2 roasted red bell peppers, chopped
• 1 cup fresh oregano, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Turkey Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Remove the plastic piece from the legs of the turkey, if necessary, and the gizzard package and neck from the cavity. Rinse the turkey inside and out with very cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
3. Loosely stuff the turkey with the stuffing. Pull the legs together so that they overlap. Use the kitchen string to tie the legs together. Spoon any leftover cornbread stuffing into a buttered ovenproof casserole dish. Bake in a 350°F oven, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes, or until crispy and golden brown.
4. Using your hands, gently rub about half to three-quarters of the cumin rub over the exterior of the turkey, working it lightly into the skin. Reserve the remaining rub for basting the turkey during roasting.
5. Place the turkey on a rack in a large roasting pan. Roast uncovered for 30 minutes until the skin starts to brown, then cover with aluminum foil.
6. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, melt the 3 sticks of butter over medium heat. Stir in the remaining rub. Set aside, covered, to keep warm. Use a pastry brush to baste the turkey with the seasoned butter every 30 minutes during roasting.
7. Reduce the heat to 325°F and roast the turkey for about 4 1/2 hours, or until the juices run clear when the meat is pricked, the leg joints feel loose, and a meat thermometer registers 180°F when inserted in the thickest part of the thigh. Check the stuffing: the thermometer should register 165°F when inserted into the center of the stuffing.

Cumin Rub Preparation

1. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
2. Combine the seasonings and olive oil in a mixing bowl. Add the melted butter and stir to mix well. Set aside to cool to room temperature.

Cornbread Stuffing Preparation

1. Bake the cornbread according to package directions. While the bread is still warm, cut it into small cubes in the pan. Let the bread sit at room temperature, uncovered, for 12 hours or overnight. Remove the bread from the pan and crumble to make coarse breadcrumbs.
2. To toast the pine nuts, bake them on a baking sheet in a 300°F oven for approximately 5 minutes until they turn golden brown. Watch carefully as they will burn fast. Immediately remove the nuts from the pan to a clean dish to stop them cooking.
3. In a medium sauté pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Sauté the onion and garlic until translucent but not browned, about 5 minutes.
4. In a large bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, pine nuts, sautéed onion and garlic, sausages, red pepper, and oregano, mixing well. Season to taste with salt and pepper. The stuffing can be made up to this point a day in advance and kept refrigerated in an airtight container.
5. Reserve 3 to 4 cups of the stuffing to stuff the turkey.

Interesting Stats

• Cuban Cuisine Popularity: According to a 2020 survey by the National Restaurant Association, Cuban cuisine is among the top 10 most popular ethnic cuisines in the United States (source: National Restaurant Association).
• Thanksgiving Turkey Consumption: Americans consume approximately 46 million turkeys each Thanksgiving (source: National Turkey Federation).

Conclusion

"Our Latin Table" by Fernando Saralegui is more than just a cookbook; it's a celebration of Latin culture, family, and the joy of sharing meals. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a novice, this book offers something for everyone. So, gather your loved ones, put on some Latin tunes, and create unforgettable memories with these delicious recipes.

For more information on Latin cuisine and its cultural significance, visit Smithsonian Magazine.