Cuisine of the Canary Islands
Canarian cuisine is probably best described by the term "simple”, used in a good sense. Traditional dishes are based on natural products grown on the islands. On the other hand, Canarian cuisine is a fantastic mix of local recipes with South American influences, Mainland Spain and Europe.
Potatoes reign supreme on the Canarian table. Armgada potatoes, or papas canarias, or new potatoes in their shells boiled in salt water, they are served practically with every main course, although they can also be ordered separately. Like ordinary potatoes, when rnojos is added to them, they taste really great. Mojos, that is, typical Canarian aromatic sauces, served with potatoes, meats and fish, are made with garlic, vinegar, olive oil with herbs and spices. The most popular is the tnojo picón containing paprika from La Palma (spicy), due to the intense red color, it is also called tnojo rojo (red), and the coriander tnojo de cilantrio, also called tnojo verde (green).
The Canary Islands are a real paradise for fish lovers – the number of items on the card is impressive. It's worth trying vieja, letiguado (fish of the solaceous species),fifth (fish of the mackerel species) and black (tuna fish), who have little bones, and a lot of meat. You can also try moray eels (brunette), but only on condition, that she is fresh.
In restaurants, it's not really worth asking, whether the fish is fresh – every waiter with a smile on his face will provide, yes. The rule is simple -im further from the tourist resort, the greater the chance of getting a fish straight from the water, not from the freezer compartment. Fish is usually served grilled (to the planclia) or fried (frito). It is not worth ordering seafood (tnariscos). It is hard to believe, but practically nothing has fresh sea specialties here – the waters surrounding the islands are just too cold and too restless.
Basically everything except lapas (a kind of clams growing by the shore) i calamari (calamari) need to import. Lapas is usually served baked in shells, with the sauce of my verde – you need to eat them as soon as possible, because they harden when they cool down. Calamari is most often served as breaded and fried rings (fried calamari lub calamari a la romana).
The islanders specialize in soups (stews), which are often served with powdered fio (tooth. frame). The most famous of them are the taje de berros (cress soup with potatoes) oraz canarian ranch (kind of chicken soup with thick noodles, meat, potatoes and chickpeas). Another popular stew on the island is pucheros (stew with meat and vegetables), the famous sancocho (fish stew with potatoes), old clothes (potatoes with meat, chorrizo sausage and beans) i rabbit with salmorejo (rabbit in aromatic pepper sauce).
For dessert, try the almond and yolk pudding – they were afraid (from the Spanish hyenas – well, me – me, sabe tastes good) oraz sweet potato trout (Venezuelan cookie stuffed with sweet potatoes).
It's worth trying ice cream (ice creams) z remember. Supporters of healthy desserts can buy bananas, pineapples or mangoes.
You can also try many traditional Spanish dishes in the Canary Islands, such as: paella (rice dish, seafood, meat and vegetables), tortilla (Omelet With Potatoes) i gazpacho (Andalusian tomato cold soup).
Fall after Guanches: remember
Gofio is an ingredient of many dishes served in the Canary Islands, that is, a type of meal made from roasted barley grains, corn and other cereals. The meal was the main component of the Guanche diet, who combined gofio with milk or water. Currently, they are added to soups and sauces, and also for desserts – Gofio or so-called ice cream are extremely popular. remember dulce (a dessert with a texture and flavor reminiscent of halva.)
Alcohols
Beer While on the islands, worth trying the local beer (beer), which is usually served in glasses with a capacity of 0,33 cl (Cup). Island companies are Tropical from Gran Canaria and Dorada from Tenerife – both produce a delicate-tasting beer with an alcohol content of approx. 5%. Beer mixed with lemonade is very refreshing – lemon whites.
Wine and sangria
In the Canary Islands you can taste good wine produced on the spot (virtually every island has several wine regions) and imported from the peninsula. Wine is divided into three types: Red (tinto), White (White) and pink (iridescent). Sometimes a seco marking can be found on bottles (dry) or dulce (sweet). The stamp Denominación de Origen on the label on the back of the bottle signifies, that the liquor meets the standards of the strict commissions operating in each region. When it comes to wines imported from the peninsula, it is worth trying dry red La Rioja and white Albarińo. A decent wine can be purchased for as little as 3-5 €.
The liquors produced on the islands are a bit more expensive (from 5 €) due to the rather difficult growing conditions. More information about the wines from individual islands is available in the guide section.
Sangria is extremely popular, that is, red wine and fruit punch, which can be extremely treacherous and, contrary to appearances, quickly goes to the head. Many people also order tinto de verano, or dry red wine with lemonade.
Strong alcohols
All imported alcohol is available on the islands. The most popular drinks (buckets) to cuba librę, i.e. rum with coca-cola and whiskey with cola.
Of course, it is worth trying the rum from strong spirits made on the spot (roll), schnapps (grape-based vodka, similar to Italian grappa) and produced with the addition of herbs aguardiente de hierbas. The sweet flour is much milder, rum liqueur with the addition of palm honey.
Coffee, tea and soft drinks
The Canary Islands are primarily the kingdom of coffee – You drink a lot of it here, although it is usually only served in two ways: cafe only (a little black one, reminiscent of espresso) and cafe eon leche (with milk). Some variations are possible, such as: American coffee (black coffee supplemented with water), cut coffee (little milk, a lot of coffee), coffee rnanchado (a lot of milk, little coffee) and coffee with alcohol, i.e. cafe irlandes and carajillo (with the addition of brandy). Ordering a cappuccino usually ends with white coffee with the addition of whipped cream.
After ordering cafe eon hielo (iced coffee) -the waiter will bring you a milk or black cup
coffee (depending on the order) and a glass with regular ice cubes, to which you have to pour the liquid yourself. It sounds quite abstract, however, such a drink really refreshes much better than heavy iced coffee with ice cream and whipped cream.
Tea is becoming more and more popular, mainly due to British and German tourists, however, in non-touristic places it is difficult to make any choice – you can only get mint (poleomental), linden (tila) or chamomile (chamomile).
All other popular refreshing drinks are also available on the islands. Batidos de fiuta are worth recommending, i.e. fresh fruit cocktails, e.g.. mango or melon.