Determined that the current mission of the Catholic Church in Cuba extends beyond spreading God's word to empowering people amidst a severe economic crisis, Father Leandro NaunHung is undeterred by criticism as he continues to impart vital knowledge in the rural communities of Santiago de Cuba. Recently, he took to Facebook to share a memorable experience from a rural area where he conducted baptisms and concluded with a communal meal of spaghetti featuring green papaya and squash.
The priest detailed the initial steps of the recipe, which involved dicing yam, squash, and the "special ingredient," green papaya. He emphasized that squash should be consumed with its peel, citing its nutritional benefits. The squash is to be sautéed, seasoned with oregano and other spices. In the video he posted, Father NaunHung also showed the use of tomato puree for the sauce, while separately boiling the green papaya until tender.
Interestingly, Father NaunHung did not specify when or how to incorporate the yam into the dish, although it is implied it should be cooked alongside the green papaya. The spaghetti is cooked separately but should be prepared right before serving. The video concludes with the community members enjoying a dish described as tasting "like heaven."
Beyond sharing recipes, the video inadvertently highlights the harsh living conditions faced by residents in Santiago de Cuba's rural areas, where even accessing potable water is a challenge. At one point, viewers see locals fetching water from a nearby river using a donkey.
Father NaunHung has frequently stressed the necessity for rural communities in Santiago de Cuba to endure the economic hardships, which are acutely felt in the more isolated regions. Through social media, he has shared various survival recipes, such as spaghetti with purslane, and has demonstrated how to prepare sampa, a long-lasting food useful in times of crisis. He has also introduced dishes like banana flower and prickly pear soup, providing a unique culinary lifeline to those in need.