Croquetas y Jupiña are my soul food. Is a tagline I use often. I love croquetas. Most people I know of Cuban heritage love the delicious fritters of goodness. You can find them at every ventanita and Cuban restaurant in Miami. The most common flavor is jamon (ham), with chicken a close second. Croquetas de bacalao (salt cod) are yummy. My family had a vacation trailer in The Keys that we would weekend at all summer long to fish. Our close family friends had the place next door, and we shared an outdoor kitchen between the families. If the catch of the day hadn’t been great or we were all just extra hungry, Daisita would make croquetas de bacalao. There is nothing better than salty air and fried seafood.
There is a restaurant in SW Miami that has taken croquetas to another level. Isla Canarias consistently is voted best croqueta. They even have merch. And you can download a screensaver like this one:
They aren’t lying. With Valentine’s around the corner, you might want to place your order for a heart-shaped tin filled with croquetas for your beloved. (Hint. Hint. I’m hoping you are reading this dear husband.) But for those of you not in Miami and since croquetas are best fresh and hot, here is a recipe for you to try at home.
In Mango, Mambo, & Murder, my culinary cozy debuting 10/12/21, the main character Miriam Qiuñones is given a takeout box full of her Tia Elba’s croquetas. They are so good she can’t resist eating them on the car ride home. I bet the reader will wish they had some too. So, when reading my culinary cozy make sure you have snacks on hand. Follow me on Instagram for more food porn. I have a Golden Girls magnet set giveaway running until 2/17/21. (check the details on my social media feeds) Enter by signing up for my newsletter. — Raquel V. Reyes
