"Tastes Like Cuba"

It was very clear throughout this entire reading that food defined identity for this Cuban family struggling through the uncomfortable process of exile. In the beginning of the reading, food was described with great, almost seductive detail to the point that I felt like I could almost taste the meals being made. It is obvious that a meals contents were just as important and just as appreciated as the act of the meal gathering a family or community together. Both aspects were equally enjoyed and equally emphasized. Fun fact: I spent last semester studying abroad in Spain, so the descriptions of traditional Spanish food such as Serrano ham, manchego cheese, and croquetas were very familiar to me, and I could relate to their importance in their diet. I thought it was interesting that with the move to America the author chose to stress the difference in food as opposed to other lifestyle changes. The family experienced a massive change from rich to poor, from Spanish to English, and a difference in surroundings, but the food was the biggest obstacle to be faced. The mother seemed to take this change the hardest of all of the family members, and I think this could have been because providing an enjoyable, Cuban meal each day was a large part of her identity as a mother, and she struggled with the fact that she could not provide that comfort and familiarity for her kids in this situation. This contrasted with the father's role as a provider and his struggle with the fact that he could not immediately afford to allow his wife to shop at any grocery store around town in search of these ingredients. Once the Grand Central Market was discovered, there seemed to be new life in the family. It was a symbol of hope and comfort that had been all but lost in the move.