The Canary Islands, an archipelago located in the Atlantic Ocean, is one of the seventeen autonomous communities that make up Spain. These islands, which are volcanic in origin, are adorned with fumaroles and black sand beaches, and unique places that will satisfy both the most adventurous and also lovers of tranquillity and relaxation. The Canary Islands also have a gastronomic heritage that will delight the most demanding palates. A trip around this Spanish archipelago is a perfect opportunity to taste the culinary specialities of the Canary Islands.
Unique ingredients to make mouth-watering dishes
Canarian cuisine surprises by its diversity and simplicity, as well as by the unique taste of its dishes. The volcanic origin of the island has allowed the land to produce ingredients with different tastes and textures. This is particularly the case with the famous wrinkled Canarian potatoes, known commonly as "papas". The islands' insular condition is perfect for allowing the inhabitants to catch different varieties of fish with which some of their dishes are prepared. A cruise to the Canary Islands, with stopovers in the different islands, is ideal to discover new flavours and new cultures.
Papas arrugadas: a dish of Canarian gastronomy not to be missed
The "wrinkled potatoes" are an essential dish in the archipelago's cuisine. They are a variety of small potatoes that are grown locally. They are cooked, until the skin is wrinkled, in water with plenty of sea salt. When the water has evaporated, the potatoes are covered with a cloth so that the salt crystallizes in the skin. This dish is usually served as a side dish with a sauce called Mojo. Mojo is a dressing made with garlic, oil and vinegar to which green pepper and coriander are added, for the green mojo, and red pepper, for the mojo picón.
Gofio, the traditional dish of the Canary Islands
Gofio, one of the archipelago's oldest recipes, is a flour made from wheat, corn or a mixture of the two, which is toasted and ground. Mixed with fish stock and seasoned with herbs, this is the basic gofio, which can be served as a garnish. Depending on your taste, you can add meat, vegetables, cheese or red onion to this dish. People in the Canary Islands also eat gofio with milk and there are also ice creams and gofio mousse.
Cheeses from the Canary Islands
The Canary Islands offer a fairly wide choice of cheeses, including those made from goat's milk. The taste of the cheese differs from one island to another or from one region to another, allowing a wide range of flavours to be discovered. For example, the famous "El Hierro Island Cheese" is made from a mixture of goat, sheep and cow's milk and is smoked with fig wood. The "queso majorero", is a spicy goat's cheese typical of Fuerteventura which, since 1996, bears the stamp "Denominación de Origen Controlada". The "queso Asado" is one of the most remarkable dishes of the Canarian cheese, that is to say, it is a grilled or cooked cheese. This dish is prepared using a semi-finished cheese or a soft cheese and can be used as a starter accompanied by green mojo and picón (spicy cheese).
The different meats used in Canarian cuisine
The inhabitants of the Canary Islands cook pork in all its forms. Whether stewed or fried, like chicharrones, pork is prepared in many different ways. Rabbit is also very popular, whether marinated or cooked, by making stews such as "Conejo en salmorejo", which makes the meat tender and delicious. Goat meat is also delicious if it is well prepared. Cooked over a low heat or simply grilled, it is a dish that all visitors to the Canary Islands should try.
Fish, a key ingredient in Canarian gastronomy
The inhabitants of the Canary Islands cook fish and seafood all year round. They are eaten in different ways: sun-dried, grilled, cooked in a salt crust,... and usually accompanied by mojo and wrinkled potatoes. Tollo" (strips of dogfish or other sun-dried sharks), marinated tuna, seafood such as limpets, and squid are some of the most common fish and seafood specialities in Canarian cuisine.
Desserts in Canarian gastronomy
Canarian gastronomy is also winning over the palate of lovers of sweets. For example, 'Leche frita', a cinnamon-flavoured cream that is baked in the oven and covered with palm honey, and 'Príncipe Alberto', a dessert based on almond biscuits, honey and chocolate mousse, are particularly popular. The 'gofio mousse' is prepared with gofio, the islands' emblematic flour. Cheese lovers should not miss the opportunity to try the "quesadilla de El Hierro", a cheesecake with lemon with a touch of aniseed.
Drinks to enjoy in the Canary Islands
Those who opt for non-alcoholic beverages will be delighted by avocado or banana smoothies. Those looking for an alcoholic beverage can try honey rum, which as its name suggests is a liqueur made from honey and rum, one of the many local wines, such as the "Negramoll" and the "Albillo", or a local beer, among which the Tropical stands out.
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