BETA
Chapter 1
The architecture of the walk-up window
Chapter 2
Decoding the Cuban espresso menu
Chapter 3
The history of exile and adaptation
Chapter 4
The pairing game: pastelitos and croquetas
YOUR GOAL
Master of Miami's Cuban coffee culture
Ch 4 · The pairing game: pastelitos and croquetas
alicecooks Match iconic ventanita treats to discover the delicious history of Miami's Cuban coffee culture.
alicecooks Deep-fried croquetas offer a salty, savory bite to balance the sweet coffee.
Fun Fact
Pastelito shapes: Bakeries shape sweet pastelitos differently—triangles for cheese, rectangles for guava—so baristas identify them instantly.
Glossary
croqueta (noun)
A small, breaded and deep-fried roll filled with minced meat, seafood, or vegetables. Miamians traditionally pair these savory fried rolls with sweet guava pastries at walk-up windows like Versailles.
A small, breaded and deep-fried roll filled with minced meat, seafood, or vegetables. Miamians traditionally pair these savory fried rolls with sweet guava pastries at walk-up windows like Versailles.
Quiz
Why do Cuban bakeries shape their pastelitos into different geometric forms like triangles and rectangles?
Quiz
What is the customary way to eat a warm tostada when drinking a café con leche at a ventanita?
Quiz
What natural item is traditionally placed on top of Cuban bread dough during the baking process?
Quiz
What special ingredient gives Cuban bread its unique, soft interior and crispy crust?
Quiz
What is the most iconic sweet fruit filling found in a traditional Cuban pastelito pastry?