This week, a Cuban farmer named Felipe became an internet sensation after harvesting a massive 21-pound sweet potato.
The video featuring Felipe and his extraordinary sweet potato was posted on Facebook by musician and content creator Wilder el Supremo, who resides in Kendall, Florida. The specific location in Cuba where this enormous tuber was cultivated remains unknown.
Felipe can be seen proudly displaying the gigantic sweet potato while his neighbors capture the moment on their phones. "Folks, this is a sweet potato. It's not a pumpkin or anything else; it's a 21-pound sweet potato. This is unbelievable!" one of the onlookers excitedly exclaims.
Felipe briefly shares the backstory of this giant produce: "Someone gifted me a sprouted sweet potato, and I planted it."
The post quickly garnered reactions blending humor, nostalgia, and highlighting the scarcity in Cuba. "I'd eat that with a hearty stew. Oh Lord!" a user commented.
Another took a practical view: "That sweet potato would feed someone for a month." A third person imagined culinary possibilities: "I’d boil it to eat with pork mass and cracklings."
Comments celebrating the virtues of Cuban agriculture were also present. "I feel so proud of our Cuban farmers!" a follower expressed.
Political humor inevitably surfaced as well. One user jokingly warned, "Careful, old man, that sweet potato might be considered HOARDING." Another remarked, "I think that’s Díaz-Canel’s brain."
Several users recalled that large sweet potatoes are not uncommon in Cuba. "At my uncle's farm, we dug up ones weighing up to 25 pounds back in 2007, in Holguín," one shared.
This discovery comes at a time when sweet potatoes, once among the most affordable staples in the Cuban diet, have become a luxury for many families. In Havana, prices range from 80 to 120 CUP per pound, compared to less than ten in 2020. In some provinces, a single sweet potato can exceed 300 pesos.
In March 2021, a Cuban woman in Holguín harvested a 31-pound sweet potato in her backyard, just five months after planting it.
Insights into the Sweet Potato Phenomenon in Cuba
Why have sweet potatoes become expensive in Cuba?
Sweet potatoes have become a luxury in Cuba due to economic challenges and scarcity, with prices in Havana ranging from 80 to 120 CUP per pound.
Are large sweet potatoes common in Cuba?
Yes, large sweet potatoes are not rare in Cuba. There are reports of sweet potatoes weighing over 25 pounds being harvested on farms, especially in regions like Holguín.
What are some traditional dishes made with sweet potatoes in Cuba?
In Cuba, sweet potatoes are often boiled and paired with pork or used in stews, highlighting their versatility in Cuban cuisine.