Papas Arrugadas – tasty potato dish eaten in the Canary Islands
Today I am writing my column from a very sunny and warm Tenerife in the Canary Islands. It’s the last day of our holiday and my suitcase is packed, ready for flying back home this afternoon. What a week we have had! Within an hour of arriving at our hotel, my uncle unfortunately had a fall and his first night’s accommodation was in the hospital.
Fortunately he is made of strong stuff and it hasn’t stopped him enjoying the rest of the week.
We have even been on a boat trip to watch whales swimming alongside us.
The Canary Islands is one of the top European destinations for whale and dolphin watching.
It was absolutely fantastic.
The hotel is all-inclusive, a first time experience for me.
I’ve enjoyed everything about it, but the food especially.
As you know, I do lots of cooking and baking which I love, however, it has been a real treat to be catered for.
There was so much choice at the self-service buffet and everything on offer was my cup of tea, except perhaps the actual tea.
I should have packed my Yorkshire Tea tea bags!
One of the specialty dishes over here is Papas Arrugadas (Canarian potatoes or wrinkled potatoes) and they were served twice during the week.
I made some at home just before we came away to get myself in the holiday mood.
The potatoes used are the tiny salad ones that cook quickly and they are boiled in just enough water to cover them.
Traditionally the potatoes were boiled in seawater but heavily salted water does the trick. I used about two tablespoons of sea salt.
The water evaporates during cooking and the potatoes become wrinkly and grey.
I know this sounds dreary and not particularly appetising.
But, when served with traditional Canary Islands sauce Mojo Picon (spicy chili pepper garlic sauce) or Mojo Cilantro (refreshing green sauce), they are totally delicious!