<Tr> <Td> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> Cuban cuisine is a blend of Native American Taino food, Spanish, African, and Caribbean cuisines . Some Cuban recipes share spices and techniques with Spanish and African cooking, with some Caribbean influence in spice and flavor . This results in a blend of the several different cultural influences, with strong similarities with the cuisine of the neighboring Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico . A small but noteworthy Chinese influence can also be accounted for, mainly in the Havana area . There is also some Italian influence . During colonial times, Cuba was an important port for trade, and many Spaniards who lived there brought their culinary traditions with them </P> <P> As a result of the colonization of Cuba by Spain, one of the main influences on the cuisine is from Spain . Other culinary influences include Africa, from the Africans that were brought to Cuba as slaves, and French, from the French colonists that came to Cuba from Haiti . Another factor is that Cuba is an island, making seafood something that greatly influences Cuban cuisine . Another contributing factor to Cuban cuisine is that Cuba is in a tropical climate, which produces fruits and root vegetables that are used in Cuban dishes and meals . </P>

What type of food is cuba known for