A subtropical climate and acres of farmland provide seasonal local ingredients year-round, and surrounded by the sea means plenty of fresh and tasty seafood - and people who know how to prepare it to perfection. You won't be overwhelmed with options, but what traditional Canary Islands cuisine lacks in variety, it certainly makes up for in flavour. Continue reading for some of or top picks that are as Canario as you can get...
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Salty food
Papas can mojo (Canarian Potatoes)
They are one of the Canary Islands' most well-known and representative dishes. If you visit the Canaries, you must try these tiny wrinkled potatoes. They are traditionally served with 2 sauces. The mojo is a red Canarian sauce with red pepper as the main ingredient. Green is also present, with coriander serving as the star. Mojos are always served with Canarian potatoes or arrugás. Similarly, in restaurants, they are usually served with bread as an appetizer and to accompany the Canarian fish.
You will find the Mojo sauces served with a variety of dishes, not only the famous 'wrinkly potatoes' described above. These sauces originally come from the Canarian Islands and have widely spread throughout a variety of tropical regions.
Sancocho Canario (Canarian Fish Stew)
Sancocho Canario is a traditional Easter dish on the island of Gran Canaria, but it can also be eaten on the other islands. It is a fish preparation made of cherne (stone bass or bass groper), sea bass, or salted sea bass that is eaten with potatoes, sweet potatoes, mojo, and gofio to form a pella or loaf.
Conejo en salmorejo
The rabbit is the most common meat in Tenerife and is used in many recipes. One of them, the rabbit with Salmorejo, is from Aragon. It's delicious and available throughout the island. It's a flavorful stew with a strong flavour that's served with wrinkled potatoes and paired with Tenerife wines.
Gofio
Gofio, which is ground cereal, is another traditional Canarian dish. It is traditionally served 'escaldado' (scalded) in the Canary Islands, which means with meat or fish broth. Also available in Pella or mashed (with water and oil), with honey, nuts, cheese, and other ingredients as options. You can also eat this cereal for breakfast with vegetable soups or with milk. Depending on the island you'll find yourself on, Gofio may be served with cheese, pepper, meat, or other ingredients.
Queso asado canario con mojos (Canarian grilled cheese with mojos)
Canarian cheeses, which are mostly made from goat's milk, are delicious, creamy, and have a strong flavour. One of the most unusual ways to eat them is roasted on the griddle (or oven tray) and served with the various mojos found on the island. (We suggest the version with the spicy mojo picón and sweet miel de palma contrasts.)
Potaje de Berros (Watercress stew)
Watercress pottage is a traditional Canarian dish. It's a simple and inexpensive dish that combines vegetables with meat or pork ribs. with plenty of watercress leaves and beans. Watercress, green beans, beans, corn, onion, pumpkin, garlic, and salt are among the ingredients. Watercress stew is a healthy and balanced meal due to its variety of vegetable-derived ingredients. As a result, it is ideal for those who prefer to eat a healthier diet.
Spoon dishes, such as stews, soups, and stews, play an important role in the Canarian recipe book. The Potaje de Berros alongside many other dishes are tasty, hearty and widely found throughout the islands.
Sweet food
Frangollo
Frangollo is a traditional Canarian dessert, especially on the island of Tenerife. Milk, corn flour, lemon, eggs, sugar, butter, raisins, almonds, and cinnamon are the basic ingredients, though some regions use water instead of milk and others add ingredients such as matalava (anise).
Príncipe Alberto Another of the region's dessert wonders is Prince Albert, whose origin is also on the island of La Palma (it must be emphasized: a paradise for those with a sweet tooth). The main ingredient is chocolate, which together with biscuits dipped in coffee and crushed almonds and hazelnuts give a dessert that is creamy and intense in equal parts.
Gofio mousse is the epitome product of the Islands' culinary tradition, and it was once the fundament of generations of islanders' diets. Gofio is now valued for its high nutritional value and versatility in a variety of recipes, such as gofio mousse, which contains eggs, condensed milk, and whipping cream. Smooth and delicious.
Huevos mole is one of the Canary Islands' legacies of Portuguese traditions. In fact, desserts made with eggs, such as ovo moles, are very popular in Portugal and the islands. To make this dessert, all you need are egg yolks, sugar, and water, as well as some skill. It is typically served cold in glasses.
Drinks
Ron Miel
If gin is England's national alcoholic beverage, brandy is France's, and whisky is Scotland's, then rum is the Canary Islands. The distillery in Arucas, Gran Canaria, is even free to visit., One of the most popular types is honey rum. Locals like to add ron miel to their morning coffee to warm up before the sun comes out. It's more modest than sugary. The honey is subtle rather than overpowering, ensuring that this is not a sickly liqueur.
Wine
Lanzarote and Tenerife are the two largest producers in the Canary Islands. The fact that these places have any vineyards is a victory of man over nature. But it has, primarily in the well-known La Geria neighbourhood. Viticulturists grow vines in sunken pits up to three meters deep and five meters wide here. A zoco is a semicircular dry rock wall that protects wines from the wind. The soil is volcanic, but this has never stopped production at El Grifo, which is one of the ten oldest vineyards in Spain.
Tenerife's cuisine combines influences from nearby Africa, trade with the new Americas, and, of course, the reach of Castilian Spain. Despite this, Tenerife's cuisine retains its own distinct identity. We hope this article inspired you, even more, to travel to this delicious island! In the meantime, you can read an article about what to visit on the most popular Canarian Island - Tenerife. We also have other places for you to visit, such as Split, Mykonos, and Cagliari. Do not forget to follow us @thewalkingparrot to be always updated on the new releases.