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The Year the Plátanos Disappeared: Memories and Recipes from a Cuban Childhood
Paperback
Biographies GeneralHistorical FiguresCaribbean & West Indian Cooking
Publisher: Independently Published
Published: Jun 23 2026
Pages: 82
Weight: 0.63
Height: 0.21 Width: 8.50 Depth: 11.00
Language: English
The Year the Plátanos Disappeared is a deeply personal memoir told through food, memory, and survival.
Growing up in Cuba during the 1950s and 60s, Joaquin Gasso experienced a childhood filled with flavor, family, and tradition - until scarcity, political upheaval, and uncertainty reshaped daily life. Through vivid stories of love, resilience, and migration, he recounts moments both tender and dramatic: the disappearance of beloved fruits, quiet Christmas dinners with almost nothing to eat, the fear of departure, and the first taste of freedom in a new country.
Interwoven with these memories are authentic recipes passed through generations - Cuban classics, family favorites, and dishes shaped by travel and adaptation. From tostones and arroz con pollo to bread pudding, lentils, and rum cake, each recipe carries a story, preserving culture through cooking.
This book is not only about food.
It is about home, loss, gratitude, and the enduring power of memory.
Perfect for readers who love:
- Culinary memoirs
- Cuban and Latin cuisine
- Immigration and coming-of-age stories
- Family history and cultural storytelling
Sometimes what we cook is not just a meal - it is what remains.
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