Ybor City – Historic Cuban-American Neighborhood
Perhaps because it is so difficult for Americans to go there, I am fascinated by Cuba –with its rich history and culture. To gain access, Americans must get a license from the U.S. Treasury Department, and that license requires a specific purpose (e.g., journalism, charitable work, government business, etc). I haven’t applied for a license since I don’t think writing a food blog would qualify 
Not one to be deterred by my misfortunes, this winter, I found my way to a bit of Cuba-in-America: Tampa, Florida. Cuban immigration in the U.S. began to escalate in the 1950s with Castro’s rise to prominence, and it continues today, with the U.S. granting special status to Cuban immigrants (Pew Research Center, 2006). Florida, the U.S. state closest in proximity to Cuba, hosts about 1 million Cuban-Americans – the majority Cuban born.
Not surprisingly, many Florida cities are brimming with Cubans and their delightful culture, music and food. Tampa is no exception. Our recent visit found us in historic Ybor City, a turn-of-the-century Cuban and mixed-ethnic Tampa neighborhood. While Ybor fell into decay during the Great Depression and thereafter, it was recently the beneficiary of a major restoration. Even with a bit of added glitz, Ybor retains much of its original character. And it was in Ybor that I found and consumed enough Mojo, all washed down with Mojitos, that I was dancing the Cha-Cha.
Reproduction Trolley – Runs From Downtown Tampa to Ybor City
Never had Mojo or Mojito? Wondering what these Cuban delights have in common? No, Mojito is not a diminutive Mojo. Mojo is a marinade, typically for chicken and pork, and Mojito is a refreshing cocktail. But what they have in common is citrus – one of Cuba’s main agricultural products.
If you find yourself with a bowl full of citrus looking for a good use, these recipes will do it. They are perfect for a warm Cuban- (or Florida-) like summer evening. Throw the Mojo Chicken on a grill (instead of oven roasting) while you kick back and sip a cooling and refreshing Mojito.
I’ll start with the Mojo Chicken recipe here, following with Mojito in Part 2.
Mojo Chicken
Mojo Chicken
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Recipe By: A Global Garnish, LLC
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
1/2 onion, minced
1/2 teaspoon cumin (optional)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper, black
1/2 teaspoon oregano, dried
1/2 cup orange juice
1/3 cup lemon juice, or lime juice
1/2 cup olive oil
4 pounds chicken, bone-in, cut into pieces (or substitute bone-in breasts)
Directions:
1. Mix first 6 ingredients (garlic through oregano) in a bowl, and add juices. Traditional Mojo uses Cuban sour orange juice. Lemon or lime juice added to orange juice will provide a similar tang.
Whisk in olive oil. (Do not omit olive oil; it is essential to avoid acid-curing the meat.)
Mojo Marinade Ingredients
2. If you are using whole chicken, cut in pieces and trim excess fat. Alternatively, purchase cut pieces such as chicken breasts (use bone-in).
3. Place chicken in marinate. Marinate 8-12 hours.
4. Preheat oven to 375 deg.
Remove chicken from marinade (reserving marinade) and place chicken on an oiled sheet (jelly roll) pan or place on a Silpat on a sheet pan. I prefer to use a Silpat to make cleaning easier after roasting.
Roast chicken for about 50 minutes to 1 hour or until the internal temperature reaches 160 deg F.
While chicken is cooking, place marinade in small saucepan. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Cook until the marinade thickens slightly. This can be drizzled over the cooked chicken when serving.
5. Remove chicken from pan, slice and serve with sauce.
6. DO-AHEAD DIRECTIONS: Prepare chicken and sauce through step 4. Remove roasted chicken from pan and refrigerate in a tightly-sealed container. Refrigerate sauce separately. These will keep in the refrigerator for a couple of days. When ready to serve, place chicken in a baking/roasting pan along with two tablespoons of water (to keep chicken from drying). Cover with foil and bake at 350 deg. F for about 20 minutes. Then remove cover and finish cooking until heated through. Warm sauce on stove top. Slice chicken and drizzle with or serve with sauce.
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Closing with a bit of Florida wildlife. I think these cormorants are dancing the Cha-Cha hoping for a bit Mojo Chicken Fish…
Florida Cormorants
