Potatoes

Traditional ingredient in the gastronomy of Tenerife

The potato is a popular part of the diet in the Canarian Archipelago. The Canarian variety of this tuber, originally from South America, is completely different from the ones eaten on mainland Spain. On the islands, the potato is small, round and very tasty, which is why it is commonly used in traditional cuisine. It usually accompanies most dishes, as well as being eaten on its own, as in, "papas arrugadas con mojo," which, are "wrinkled" potatoes (jacket potatoes boiled in salt) served with a traditional sauce.

Nowadays, there are over twenty varieties, among which, "papas bonitas" (pretty potatoes), "papas negras" (black potatoes), "papas Quineguas or Chineguas" (King Edward potatoes) and the "papas up to date" are particularly worth mentioning.