In a surprising turn of events that highlights the severe economic challenges plaguing the island, a man has taken to the streets of Santiago de Cuba to sell pea stew. "Delicious stew, get your stew here!" he calls out, offering this traditional Cuban dish to the residents of a local neighborhood. This scene was captured in a video shared on Facebook by local journalist Yosmany Mayeta.
During the ongoing crises that have persistently disrupted food availability for Cubans, pea stew has become a staple of survival for many. Traditionally, this dish was distributed in schools, workplaces, and hospitals because, for the regime, it was a more cost-effective option compared to other legumes.
Typically, street vendors do not choose to sell this dish due to its perishable nature, as it can spoil quickly in the heat and with frequent handling. However, in a context where numerous elderly people are fainting from hunger on the streets, where families struggle to put together a meal at home, and others are unable to finish cooking due to frequent power outages, many residents are grateful for the vendor bringing a hot meal directly to their doorstep.
In Cuba, peas—or "arvejas" as they are sometimes called—come in various types, with the yellow ones being the most common. Despite their prevalence, they are known to be tough and challenging to cook. Meanwhile, the green peas, which are easier to soften, are typically found only in hard currency stores, making them inaccessible to the vast majority of the population.