Best Foods of the Canary Islands – Canarian Cuisine to Try

Gaining novel cultural exposure through regional cuisine is one approach to experiencing a new place genuinely. For that reason, I`m revealing the prime nourishments in the Canary Islands, Spain. No matter which island you pay a visit to, I can assure you that you`ll enjoy exploring the full range of Canarian fare.

You can try typical fare from the Canary Islands on any of the archipelago`s islands. Moreover, there are excellent Canary Island restaurants on each island, and I’ll share the best ones later.

Certainly, if you’re still picking which Canary Tropical isle to check out, you can read through our guide to learn more regarding each tropical isle as well as the activities and attractions you can find there.

1. Papas arrugadas con mojo, a typical food in the Canary Islands

Papas arrugadas con mojo represents one of the best dishes in the Canary Islands, and one of the most common. Indeed, it’s deemed one of Spain`s gastronomic wonders.

Most people use papa bonita potatoes to create this Canarian recipe, although other potato varieties can be used. The key aspect is leaving the skin on and boiling the potatoes in salted seawater, which reflects the traditional cooking technique of using ocean water.

These tuberous vegetable items have become one of the most beloved foods consumed on the Canary Islands, so do not exit the area without giving them a try. They can be eaten alone with mojo picón, a spicy garlic sauce, or as an accompaniment to meat or fish items.

2. Caldo de millo, another Canary Islands food you must try

Caldo de millo is an additional delectable cuisine of the Canary Islands. The primary ingredient ismillo, which is the term for corn in the Canaries. You can eat this meal on any Canary Island, although it’s among the most well-known activities to participate in in Lanzarote since it’s a very typical dish there.

With a dense broth created from corn or millo, this Canarian recipe typically involves onions, garlic, oil, salt, chickpeas, and either rice or wheat. In some cases, hard cheese is tossed into the broth. The flavor of this meal is strong and intense, and it can make for a hearty dish based on what you pair it with.

3. Gofio escaldado, a delicious Canarian dish

Gofio escaldado, or blanched gofio, is another typical dish in Canary Island cuisine that deserves consideration, though it is more often enjoyed in winter months.

Gofio plays a flexible role in Canarian cuisine, essentially flour made from roasted legumes or grains, notablymillo (corn). In this gofio recipe, a meat or fish broth is poured over thegofio then kneaded together.

While you can sample this dish on any of the Canary Islands, it’s a traditional dish common in Tenerife. Indulging in this filling meal is one of the most popular options in Tenerife, so be sure to try it!

4. Queso asado con mojo, a beloved food of the Canary Islands

This traditional Canarian cuisine consists of grilled cheese with mojo, and it makes for the perfect small bite or starter. Also, it’s quite easy to find queso asado on just about any restaurant menu in the Canary Islands.

The recipe specifies slices of tender or semi-cured Canarian cheeses that are baked in the oven and covered with another beloved characteristic Canary Island meal,mojo.

Although differing types of mojo exist, many have picona pepper included, a variety of Canarian cayenne pepper. This contributes to making queso asado both spicy and delicious as a snack.

5. Ropa vieja canaria, the most typical Canarian food

Ropa vieja canaria intensely highlighted and em emphasized is another usual Canarian nourishment you ought to attempt. Interpreted, it means worn garments, which is a reference to how this dish is made utilizing leftovers. It’s one of those conventional sustenances of the Canary Islands that animates the picture of a grandmother planning an satisfying and nutritious supper.

This dish is so popular that you can find it in any restaurant on the Canary Islands. It’s made with meat and assorted vegetables mixed with potatoes and legumes. As you can imagine, it’s ideal for cold days when you need to stay warm and regain strength.

6. Conejo con salmorejo, a popular Canarian dish with meat

When considering Canarian cuisine in Tenerife, one of the highlighted dishes is rabbit with salmorejo. You can find conejo con salmorejo across the islands, but it originated in Tenerife.

To ready this dish, the rabbit first marinates for a full day in a blend of white wine, vinegar, olive oil, garlic, thyme, hot pepper, oregano, and other spices. Once the meat has absorbed all the flavors, it is fried and generally served with papas arrugadas

As this Canarian dish requires significant preparation time, it is understandably not found on menus at all restaurants, despite its popularity among diners.

7. Churros de pescado, the best dish in Canarian cuisine

Churros de pescado, or fish fritters, are one of the most common dishes in the Canary Islands, and you can find it in almost any bar or restaurant. However, if you want to experience authenticchurros de pescado, I recommend going to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the birthplace of this recipe.

This basic dish consists of fried fish that has been covered with flour and battered in beer. Thanks to its quick and easy preparation along with its tasty flavor, it’s ideal for those moments when one desires to eat something promptly that is also good. It’s no wonder that it’s one of the most popular regional dishes from the Canary Islands to enjoy.

8. Garbanzas canarias, a traditional Canarian dish to enjoy

Chickpeas occupy a prominent position among legumes traditionally incorporated into Canarian cuisine, and they even have their quite unique dish, Canarian chickpeas, or chickpea stew.

To make this stew, one starts by cooking the chickpeas while getting ready the meat and sofrito in another skillet. The sofrito is crafted from tomatoes, onions, peppers, and spices, while the meat could be pork, chorizo, beef, or chicken. Once the chickpeas, meat, and sofrito are complete, simply blending everything together.

Without question, this is one of the top dishes in the Canary Islands, as well as a perfect way to feel warm on a cold day.

9. Sancocho, another food in the Canary Islands to try

Sancocho is another typical culinary dish of the Canary Islands that you should sample, and it’s one of the most popular stews in the archipelago.

The main ingredient in this dish is cherne, a large white fish with a good amount of meat. To makesancocho, the fish is boiled and served withpapas arrugadas and gofio, then covered withmojo, the typical Canarian sauce.

As with some other Canarian recipes, this dish necessitates quite a bit of prep, so it’s not on every restaurant menu.

10. Carajacas, one of the best dishes in Canarian gastronomy

Finally, another crucial foodstuff in the Canary Islands is carajacas. This is also a conventional dish here, but its intricate planning makes it somewhat difficult to find in some eateries in the Canary Islands.

Carajacas consists of slices of liver marinated in wine or vinegar as well as garlic, pepper, paprika and other seasonings. I assure you it stands as one of those traditional Canarian dishes you should not overlook.

Typical Canarian desserts

In addition to all the Canary Islands foods that I’ve mentioned, you’ll also find delectable sweets on the Canarian archipelago. These are the typical Canarian desserts: