Christmas has not been "officially" celebrated in Cuba since shortly after Castro took power in 1959. For many years Christmas celebrations were frowned upon and in 1969 the Cuban government imposed an outright ban on this cherished holiday. But before that, my friend? Christmas in Cuba was something wonderful indeed!

Are you are a Cuban who has lost touch with Cuban customs and traditional foods? Or are you a non-Cuban who would like to add something special to your own Christmas Celebration?

Now you can organize an old-fashioned Cuban Christmas celebration of your own! We'll tell you everything you need to know about celebrating a traditional Cuban Christmas and New Years!

We share some Cuban Christmas memories. We give you complete instructions on how to roast a pig. And we provide a comprehensive Cuban Christmas Eve Party Menu -- complete with recipes and cooking instructions.

Put a little Latin spice in your Christmas celebration this year! We show you how!

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For us, there is only one way to celebrate Christmas Eve, and that's by roasting a pig! This is a very old tradition in Cuba and one that we have continued here in Miami.

We start early on Christmas Eve day, setting up the roaster, starting the charcoal, laying out the pig and of course, enjoying a beer or two and plenty of snacks as we watch the pig roast the day away.

We recently received an email about cooking elk. To be honest, we really don't see all that many elk here in Miami and we have no idea how you would go about cooking one.

However, if you are lucky enough to have any elk meat hanging around, this is a pretty good recipe.

In our case, we cook this one with "simulated elk meat" -- also known as beef. We suggest you do the same, unless an elk or possibly Rudolph (the red-nosed reindeer) stumbles into your yard some night.

Just don't tell the kids...

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The master of the pig roast, Raúl puts the finishing touches on another perfectly roasted pig. The skin is brown and crispy, the meat so tender and juicy -- this is a true Christmas gift!

You can roast a pig this year! It's easy. Just click "more" for complete instructions.

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Cuba Libre: Rum & Coke

Mojito: Cuban Rum & Mint Drink

Sidra: Spanish Sparkling Hard Apple Cider

Carne Fria: Cold Meat Roll

Croquetas: Croquettes

(Moros y Cristianos) Black Beans and Rice

Roast Pig (Lechón Asado)

Tostones: Fried Plantain

Yuca con Mojo: Yuca with Garlic

Arroz con Leche: Rice Pudding

Buñuelos

Boniatillo

Cake de Ron: Rum Cake

Turrones (Nougat Candy)

New Year's

At midnight, it's customary to eat twelve grapes (one for each month) and drink Sidra, a "hard" sparkling apple cider.

Although Christmas celebrations in Cuba were similar to those in the United States, a special thing happened each year on Noche Buena or Christmas Eve. Families and entire neighborhoods would gather together and have a GREAT feast. Cuban families include grandparents, uncles, brothers, second, third and fourth cousins, and basically anyone you've ever met who liked your jokes and complimented you on your food.

Noche Buena parties are very large and there is always an abundance of food! Noche Buena means Good Night. For Cubans, it's all about family and friends, a time to celebrate life with good food, good music, and love. It is truly the most beautiful and heart-warming celebration of the entire year.

The roasted pig was always the main attraction. Along with the pig, there was black beans, white rice, yuca con mojo, salad, and of course lots of Cuban bread.

In the days before Christmas Eve, everyone would start preparing desserts. Popular desserts included orange and grapefruit shells (cascos) in a heavy syrup and buñuelos -- a type of fried sweet dough with powdered sugar and syrup.

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For Cubans, New Year's Eve is a night of music and dancing, eating great foods, and having a great time. Children spend the days leading up to New Year's Eve building and dressing the "Año Viejo" man, a type of scarecrow dressed up in old clothes and stuffed with paper, magazines, and anything else that will burn.

These giant dolls sit on the front porches of the houses throughout the day waiting for the stroke of midnight. At midnight everyone carries their Año Viejo man into the street and sets it on fire.

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We're Cooking in California!

Demonstration Cooking Classes at Sur la Table

Where to Buy Our Cookbook

Our new cookbook, "Three Guys from Miami Cook Cuban," is slowly making it's way to bookstores across the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Australia. In the United States, national retailers such as Barnes & Noble, Borders, and Waldenbooks are all carrying the book. Look for it in the Cookbook Section under "International."

In Canada, Indigo Books, Chapters, and Cole's Books are nationwide sources.

Locally

We also encourage our readers to shop at their local independent bookseller. These booksellers are located in cities and regions all across the country. Books & Books in Miami, Sur la Table in cities nationwide, the Tattered Cover Book Store in Denver, Powell's in Oregon -- even Prairie Lights Books in Iowa City, Iowa -- are all great examples of local booksellers.

There is probably a store near you!

The Internet

Internet sources include: Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com,and PowellsOr try this one stop comparison site: FetchBook.com.

DON'T SEE IT ON THE SHELF??

Ask your retailer -- most retailers can order a copy and have it for you within two business days. For a List of Sources (including several near you) CLICK HERE

"I am sure glad these three brother-in-laws decided to cook because these recipes are heavenly..."

Review Books

Would you like to meet the Three Guys From Miami, watch a cooking demonstration, enjoy plenty of free samples AND pick up an AUTOGRAPHED copy of our book? (Books will be available for sale at all Sur la Table locations.)

If you're a Los Angeles area resident or you'll be in Los Angeles in January, why not join us for some fun Cuban Cooking in the Sur la Table Kitchens? We'll be participating in the Culinary program at three Los Angeles area locations:

SANTA MONICA:

Thursday, January 6, at 6:30 PM

NEWPORT BEACH:

Saturday, January 8, at 10:30 AM

CARLSBAD:

Sunday, January 9, at 2:00 PM

Click on any of these city names for more information and to register online.

PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

Seats are limited and fill up fast, so reserve yours today!