GASTRONOMIC EXCELLENCES OF THE LAND: THE POTATOES, natural and cultural heritage

The tubers, which during some centuries relieved the alimentary necessities of the lower classes, were perpetuated in the archipielago gastronomy. The potato comes from the New World and was intrduced in the Canaries, through the municipality of Los Realejos, in the century, and from there, it spreaded out along the European continent and the Maditerranean shores.

Of an excellent texture and flavour, the Canarian people do not understand any food without potatoes, present in vegetable stews, stews or soups andcomplement to any kind of dishes, meats or fishes. The boiled potato is a peculiar ellaboration of these islands which has gone beyond this place and has achieved a huge international acknowledgement. Besides all these products land fruits and vegetables sum up: lettuces, cabbages, watercresses, carrots, chayotes, courgettes, and other vegetables. It is also extensive the fruit varieties, thanks to the softness of the weather and the land quality; so, apart from the traditional almond trees, chestnts, citries, pears, apples, plums, peaches, there are other acclimated varieties such as mangos, avocado pears, pineapples, custard apples, pawpaws, guavas, passion fruits, etc, some of them unknown in Europe.