Although the Canary Islands always have an eternal spring, Christmas is celebrated with the same enthusiasm as everywhere else. Christmas in the archipelago is not white, nor do you expect to see Santa Claus transporting his presents in a sleigh on the snow; the sun still shines, but still these celebrations are the most endearing, familiar and full of traditions of the year. Tradition prevails in the gastronomy of the islands, with numerous Canarian Christmas recipes with which to share these important dates with the family.
The Canary Island recipes for Christmas Eve and Christmas are made for all tastes, with a great variety of dishes and ingredients that allow all the family's palates to be happy.
Typical Canarian Christmas meals include all the mainstays of gastronomy, from fish and meat to aperitifs and sweets. If you also water these delicacies with the magnificent wines of the different denominations of origin of the Fortunate Islands, the success will be complete.
Typical Christmas meals in the Canary Islands
If you are going to celebrate a Christmas lunch or dinner in Las Palmas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, San Sebastian de la Gomera or any of the wonderful cities and towns of the Canary Islands, you have a wide range of foods and recipes to celebrate the holidays with the aroma of the best island tradition.
Canary Islands Cheeses
Tender, creamy, cured..., the assortment of cheeses from the Canary Islands is extensive and delicious. Each island has such excellent cheeses as Palmero, Majorero, Media Flor, etc., and they are the best appetizers to start the feast.
Canarian sweet blood sausage sticks
Like Canary Island cheeses, these sweet black pudding sticks are great for a new table during the holiday feasts.
Very tasty and light, in addition to the black pudding itself this recipe has almonds, raisins, aromatic herbs and spices, with a simply spectacular result.
Roast pig's leg
Starter that will brighten up any table. These exquisite pig's feet are flavoured with garlic which is introduced into the meat through small incisions.
The skin is decorated in the form of a square mosaic and is spread with lard. Baked, it is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, and is finger-licking good.
Marinated kid and rabbit meatballs in salmorejo
Two of the most classic Canarian Christmas recipes and which make two magnificent starters. Both dishes are a tribute to the senses and a way to start lunch or dinner in a big way.
In the cabrito en adobo the meat is marinated with sauce or marinade, while the meatballs are bathed in the traditional salmorejo canario and served with basmati rice.
Onion fish
Recipes with seafood products are a must in the Canary Islands, where they are one of the mainstays of their gastronomy.
The most commonly used fish during the Christmas season are cod and wreckfish, which are prepared with onions and accompanied by wrinkled potatoes with red or green mojo, other classics of island cuisine.
Grilled limpets with green mojo
Very simple recipe and also very popular in the Canary Islands. With very few ingredients (limpets, olive oil, parsley, coarse salt and the classic green mojo) you have a dish with a delicious seafood flavour that will win over any food lover.
Salmon cream
A perfect first course made from salmon, potatoes, vegetables and milk. Although its preparation is somewhat slow (you will need about an hour), its cooking over a low heat results in a delicious dish that is well worth waiting for.
Salmorejo rabbit
One of the Canarian Christmas recipes par excellence, which is usually served as a second course and which is a guarantee of success due to its simplicity and flavour. An infallible bet that, of course, requires a maceration of the meat for a whole day.
Canarian desserts for a Christmas lunch or dinner
The icing on the cake (never better) of a good Christmas feast are some of the many wonderful Canarian desserts.
The best way to end your meal with a smile before moving on to sparkling wines, champagne and other spirits in lively after-dinner moods. Let's look at some of the must-haves.
Sweet potato trout
No, they're not fish for dessert. Canary Island trout with sweet potato are puff pastry filled with sweet potato, lemon, almond, egg yolks, sugar, cinnamon and aniseed. An explosion of flavour typical of the Christmas season in the archipelago that provokes a real enthusiasm in the whole family.
Traditional sweets
The typical desserts of the Canary Islands are the best finishing touch to any menu, and there is a good variety on the islands: polvorones de almendra de Tejeda, gofio mousse, bizcochos de Moya, queso de almendras..., are perfect as the finishing touches to banquets.
The Canarian Christmas recipes are a real gift to enjoy these beloved holidays in the company of the family and with the privilege of being able to do so in a springtime climate. Don't be surprised if you see Santa Claus carrying his presents in Bermuda and on a surfboard.
Photos: Canary Islands Government, maxorata.es, cocinademeg.com, spain.info, Parador Las Cañadas del Teide,
