Cuba’s Vegetable Rage

Janis Hernandez

Vegetable garden. Photo: Tito Nuñez.

HAVANA TIMES, Dec 31 — In Cuba, the trend toward vegetarian diets is becoming more popular. Though it has been fueled by the mass media and health food advocates, it still hasn’t been easy to motivate most people in this regard.

Cuban dining culture has historically been sustained by the consumption of meat, fish and carbohydrates (with this latter having been the basis of the diet since the advent of the Special Period crisis starting the early 1990s).

Likewise, the inconsistent availability of vegetables and their high prices in state-run markets have dissuaded many from vegetarianism.

We should remember that barely ten years ago the vegetarian rage broke out in Cuba as vegetarian restaurants sprouted up in cities and towns on the island. Nonetheless, it proved to be impossible to sustain these establishments, with their homeopathic plates and naturopathic dishes of solely fruits, grains and vegetables.

Their menus begin to see green vegetables replaced by portions of chicken and anything else that had nothing to do with vegetarianism.

There are, however, some individuals — because of the positions of leadership they occupy — who can enjoy the luxury of vegetable-based diet therapies (even rather exotic ones). An incident which I witnessed a good while ago allows me to testify to that fact.

As part of a series of lectures and debates that I had to attend, the main guest was a senior government official in a major ministry.

The confirmation of her visit created a major uproar, not only because of the prestige of this scientist, but also because my co-workers were responsible for seeing to her meal for that evening. As this was to consist solely of vegetables, they would have to go around from place to place looking for the most appetizing vegetables. In fact they enquired as to what were his preferences.

But they were left with their jaws hanging wide open when they got the response saying: “Anything, provided it’s fresh. Oh, but not broccoli – it gives her stomach acid!”

Needless to say, broccoli is not grown in Cuba; it is a native of Europe, where it’s consumed in all its varieties. Here it can only be found as an imported product that is sold in markets that specialize in products sold in hard currency, making it almost unattainable and unknown to most Cubans.

In fact, if you asked about it, a good number of people wouldn’t know what you were talking about.

To the ordinary Cuban, that space on their plate is reserved for lettuce, spinach, watercress and cabbage. Extravagant vegetables like broccoli, asparagus and mushrooms are only available to those in high positions, those who are able to enjoy the pleasure of choosing in the middle of the vegetable rage.

 

12 thoughts on “Cuba’s Vegetable Rage”

  • Hey

    I’m visiting Havana in May/June 2012… Are there any veggie friendly restaurants open? It’s been very difficult to locate something. pls email me if you can deepaksohal @ hotmail . com

  • A Brand New Super Nutrient!

    http://www.healthy.net/Health/Essay/A_Brand_New_Super_Nutrient/715

    The new concept consists of growing medicinal mushrooms on herbs. The mushrooms take on some of the properties of the herbs on which they’re grown, and the result is an enhanced super nutrient that’s being used successfully for cancer and other immune problems. In the future, additional mushroom/herb combinations will be designed to target specific health problems.

  • “Can we exchange ideas constantly and see what might happen in the future? We might end up with Chido Govera- Kilimanjaro Mushroom Association; a far fetched dream that can be realized.”

    My best advice to you would be to get hold of Chido and explain your situation and she may be able to supply you with all the information you need. It sounds like you would be a little tight with ‘distribution’ of your product as opposed to accomplishing a large scale mushroom operation. Chido first started as a street urchin and someone taught her how to grow mushrooms and she taught others. The main problem was those she was teaching would become ‘available for marriage’ and she would in effect lose those people she was training to teach other people , were quitting and getting married. Chidos’ work has allowed for many to prosper when otherwise they would be destitute and without hope.

  • I come from Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania – home to the highest Mountain in Africa and the only place in the tropics permanently covered by snow – the peak of the mountain. Coffee is our key crop whose pulp can be used to grow mushrooms. For the last 10 years i have been promoting mushroom farming but the response is not good. To many people meat is preffered to vegetables which contributes a lot to low nutritional status.
    Can we exchange ideas constantly and see what might happen in the future? We might end up with Chido Govera- Kilimanjaro Mushroom Association; a far fetched dream that can be realized.
    Happy & prosperous 2012.

  • Hree’s a link to the ‘growing’ of homes.

    http://techcrunch.com/2011/05/14/shroom-houses/

    “Construction material manufacturing often produces hazardous byproducts that are either toxic or difficult to recycle, as are many of the materials themselves. Brooklyn based Planetary ONE is experimenting with the idea of grow-your-own construction materials by making bricks from mushrooms.”

  • That looks like they have this mushroom growing down to an art BUT why are they not teaching it to whomever wants to learn like this Chida mushrooms are doing ? SHE started out as a ‘street kid’ and NOW she teaches mushroom growing to as many people as she can and that is quite a few people. Mushrooms, like I said , are comparable to beef in protein and it eliminates the need for any type of organic waste going into landfills. It could employ and feed a nation . Well maybe that is a stretch , but it could feed a nation. Any type of organic waste can be used to grow mushrooms. The technology for capturing heat could be utilized too in the compost production.

  • there’s a rumour that fidel castro is dead. it’s trending on twitter.

    a better rumour: he’s turned veggie, which gives him an average of 7 extra years to live.

    animal consumption is a form of imperialism. veganism is direct action!!

  • Mushrooms are a commodity which cannot be afforded ? I grew mushrooms in my house. Anyone can grow mushrooms. WHY aren’t mushrooms grown in Cuba as a staple food ? Anyone can grow mushrooms. Mushrooms can be used to grow insulated walls for homes PLUS you get to eat the mushrooms used to make the walls. Mushrooms are very healthy which rank them healthier than meat. Every country should grow mushrooms .
    http://chidos.org/index.php?id=45
    “About us
    We are a community of entrepreneurs who have joined forces in 2010 in order to contribute to a better nutrition, the cascading of so-called waste and to fight poverty and hunger.
    Our business concept is based on the mushroom cultivating method on coffee grounds developed by Chido Govera. The earnings of our sustainable trade will enable Chido Govera in her role as an associate to expand her activities in poor regions of the world. “

  • Growing your own micro-greens and sprouts – beans and other things – is popular in many places. Are Cubans able to grow beansprouts at home? It is a very good source of nutrition!

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