For 27 years, Yezmin León has been crafting crispy pasta snacks for her family in Hialeah, unaware that this childhood recipe from Cuba would eventually propel her into entrepreneurship. Now widely recognized on social media as "The Codito Queen," her brand, CODITOS, has expanded to over 250 retail locations throughout South Florida.
In a conversation with Tania Costa, León revealed that this homemade snack, which emerged during Cuba’s times of scarcity, has always been a staple in her life. "It's something I've loved forever and have passed on to my generation and my grandchildren. They adore these snacks," she shared.
Family gatherings at her Hialeah home consistently featured trays of these sun-dried, fried macaroni pieces, known in Cuba as "chicharrita" or "chicharrón de viento."
The Turning Point: A New Business Vision
The game-changer came when her Brazilian son-in-law, Rodolfo Saccoman—a serial entrepreneur with six startups to his name—sampled the snack for the first time.
"Rodolfo hadn't tasted them before. When he finally did, he was amazed and asked, 'What is this?' He was truly impressed," León recounted.
Saccoman was not only captivated by the flavor but also astounded that no one had commercialized this snack. This realization led to CODITOS being stocked in major chains like Sedano's, Presidente Supermarket, and Navarro. By June 2026, the company had secured a pre-seed funding round of $750,000 from investors including Blue Collective and Azoic Ventures.
A Snack with a Legacy
For Yezmin León, CODITOS represents more than just taste; it embodies a shared memory. In an interview with CiberCuba, she mentioned that many Cubans have approached her to share stories of selling these snacks clandestinely to survive in Cuba. "People tell me: 'I built my house, I lived off that, I supported my children with those snacks,'" León explained.
This starkly contrasts with the opportunities available in Miami. "There, everything had to be done in secret, unlike here where you can be an entrepreneur and develop your business openly," León stated. "In Cuba, everything was hidden, sold neighbor to neighbor, in secrecy."
From Underground to Mainstream
The restrictions on private entrepreneurship in Cuba forced entire generations to trade in the shadows with items as simple as fried pasta. What was once a risky venture has become a branded product with its own identity in Hialeah, complete with a mascot and the slogan "With love from Miami to the world."
Saccoman emphasized the importance of the story behind the product in their interview: "It's not just that the product tastes great and the story is incredible; we've even created a mascot. CODITOS has a beautiful story."
Positioned as a vegan, plant-based snack, CODITOS is available in both traditional and avocado oil varieties, catering to consumers looking for tasty yet healthy options. The brand follows the path of other Cuban entrepreneurs in Miami who have turned diaspora recipes into regionally distributed businesses, bolstered by institutional capital that paves the way for broader expansion.
The traditional recipe for these pasta snacks is the same one Yezmin León learned in Cuba as a child and now, with professional investment and distribution, aims to reach markets worldwide.
FAQs about Yezmin León and CODITOS
How did Yezmin León start her business with CODITOS?
Yezmin León started her business after her son-in-law, Rodolfo Saccoman, tasted her homemade pasta snacks and realized their commercial potential, leading to the creation of the CODITOS brand.
What makes CODITOS unique in the snack market?
CODITOS is unique because it combines a traditional Cuban recipe with a modern twist, offering vegan and plant-based options, and it has a compelling backstory that adds to its appeal.
Where can you buy CODITOS snacks?
CODITOS snacks are available in major retail chains in South Florida, including Sedano's, Presidente Supermarket, and Navarro, and are expanding thanks to new investments.