One Of The Best And Most Unique Traditional Cuban Snack Foods

Ok, let me just say, if you are even in Cuba and have the opportunity to try one of these snacks, you absolutely must! They are divine!!!

They are called cucuruchos, which means cones or cornets. And that’s exactly what they are. Cones, made from dried palm leaves, surrounding a sweet mix of coconut, sugar and other ingredients such as orange, guava and pineapple.

In other parts of the world, these snacks are very rare. They originated in the Baracoa region of Cuba, and although they can be found in many small villages throughout the island, they are still relatively rare. The price for a cucurucho is very cheap, usually not more than 5 pesos (Moneda Nacional), which translates to about 20 cents USD. Pick on up, you will not regret it.

Where To Buy Cuban Cucuruchos

I first tried the cucuruchos when I visited Baracoa in 2013. All along the road from Santiago de Cuba to Baracoa, street vendors were selling these cones, as well as freshly made Baracoa chocolate. (You should try the chocolate too!) In the actual town of Baracoa, I did not notice many vendors selling the cucuruchos, which is unfortunate, but is probably because they are labor intensive to make, and if you are in going to sell something in the town, you can probably make more money from other items, such as pizza or sandwiches.

Your best bet to find these snacks is to look on the outskirts of small, country towns. The locals grow all the ingredients in their back yards, and they make large batches of cucuruchos every morning to sell to both tourists and locals. 

Other Cuban Snacks

I mentions dozens of other great snacks, such as pan con lechon, pan con guayaba, chicharrones and tostones and, even the famous, roasted mani, in my book, Real Havana. You should check it out if you have a chance.

Check out the Best Cuba and Havana Guide Book For More Traditional Cuban Snack Descriptions

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