Reviving Tradition: How Ancient Cuban Flatbread is Thriving Amid Economic Challenges

Casabe: A Culinary Gem from Cuba’s Past

In Havana, a vibrant restaurant is reviving a slice of history. It’s serving casabe, a traditional flatbread made from ground yucca. This dish, cherished for centuries, is now making a comeback.

Casabe has roots dating back over a thousand years, originating with the indigenous Taino people. It was once a staple for field workers, but now it’s finding its way back to urban plates. As Cuba faces economic challenges, the demand for simple, affordable food is rising. With limited access to imported staples like wheat and sugar, locals are turning to cassava, the sole ingredient in casabe.

Yudisley Cruz, co-founder of Yucasabi, a restaurant that specializes in yucca products, believes casabe can be a part of the solution to food shortages. Her eatery sells the flatbread for just 15 pesos—around 4 cents. This makes it a nutritious option for both tourists and locals.

Cruz’s restaurant is unique; it’s the only one in Cuba dedicated entirely to yucca. She aims to popularize casabe in the city while traditional vendors sell it at even lower prices in rural areas. This makes it accessible to nearly everyone.

The dish’s simplicity and cultural significance caught the attention of the United Nations, which recently added it to its list of intangible cultural heritage. The ability to make casabe is easy enough for anyone willing to try, as noted by Julio Cesar Nunez, an 82-year-old casabe producer. He explains that the process involves harvesting, peeling, drying, and grinding the yucca root before cooking it into flat discs.

This resurgence of interest in casabe highlights a broader trend: as people seek sustainability and cultural roots in their food, traditional recipes are gaining new relevance. Brands like Yucasabi are giving casabe a modern twist, promoting it as "100% artisanal, vegan, and gluten-free" through social media.

Food trends suggest a growing interest in dishes that tell a story and connect diners to their heritage. In a world increasingly focused on health and environmental consciousness, casabe fits the bill perfectly.

For more on the importance of traditional foods, you can explore the UN’s cultural heritage page. Casabe isn’t just a meal; it’s a journey back in time, a reminder of where we come from, and a delicious way to adapt to new challenges.

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