Canarian Papas Arrugadas Recipe (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Lauren Aloise · This post may contain affiliate links ·

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Canarian Papas Arrugadas Recipe (1)

Is there any dish more representative of the Canary Islands than papas arrugadas? These tiny wrinkled potatoes are a must try when visiting the Canaries, and when done the right way are truly delightful.

You can find these little guys anywhere in the Canaries, whether enjoyingTenerife holidays for the family, or a solo escape to the morerugged and undiscovered La Gomera.

But how did salted potatoes become so famous? Potatoes aren't even native to the islands!

That's right-- we actually have the Incas to thank for the most famous dish of the Canary Islands. Around the 1550s potatoes arrived to the Canary Islands for the first time, brought by explorers to the Andes.

At first the potatoes were for show, cultivated in botanical gardens. No one imagined how delicious they could be when cooked.

In the 17th century potato cultivation began on the island, and locals still call the potatoespapas(they'repatatas in mainland Spanish), just as they do in the majority of Latin America.

What potatoes do you use?

This is the tricky part. You most likely don't have access to the ideal potatoes to make papas arrugadas. The best of the best are:

  • Papa Negra from Tenerife
  • Papa Bonita from Gran Canaria

You should look for any small, quick cooking potatoes and you'll likely be just fine.

Canarian Papas Arrugadas Recipe (2)

But how do they get so salty?

The best part of papas arrugadas is the salty crust that forms on their skin. The salt is barely visible, but definitely there.

The truly authentic way to make papas arrugadas is by boiling the potatoes in seawater. This is a recipe that came from necessity, as fresh water was often short on the islands, and locals had to make due with what they had. Luckily, their resourcefulness resulted in Spain's best potatoes!

Here is an easy recipe for papas arrugadas, but unless you are on the island and using seawater, they might not taste exactly as you remember from your last Tenerife getaway! Experiment with different potato varieties and salt/water ratios and you should eventually get it right!

Pair these delicious potatoes with the most famous sauces from the Canary Islands, the mojos. Mojo picón is red and slightly spicy, while mojo verde is refreshing and bright green.

Get the recipes! Mojo Picón and Mojo Verde

Canarian Papas Arrugadas Recipe (3)

Canarian Papas Arrugadas Recipe

Papas arrugadas are one of the most famous foods from the Canary Islands. Whether visiting Tenerife, Gran Canaria, or any of the other islands, you'll be sure to taste them!

4.43 from 7 votes

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Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 -6 servings

Calories: 109.14kcal

Author: Lauren Aloise

Ingredients

  • 1 ¼ pounds about 1 kg of small, quick cooking potatoes
  • ¼ cup of coarse sea salt

Instructions

  • Wash the potatoes well and place them in a large stock pot.

  • Just cover with cold water and add the sea salt.

  • Boil the potatoes until just cooked through, about 20 minutes. Add water if too much evaporates.

  • Pour off the water and rest the potatoes on the stove on a very low heat until all water has evaporated and the potatoes are covered in a layer of sea salt.

  • Serve with your favorite mojo sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 109.14kcal | Carbohydrates: 24.76g | Protein: 2.86g | Fat: 0.13g | Saturated Fat: 0.04g | Sodium: 7081.84mg | Potassium: 596.76mg | Fiber: 3.12g | Sugar: 1.1g | Vitamin C: 27.93mg | Calcium: 21.39mg | Iron: 1.17mg

Did you make this recipe?Tag @spanishsabores on IG and hashtag it #spanishsabores!

Best papas arrugadas in the Canaries

  • Tenerife: They tell me that the ones from Arcon Tapas in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife are to die for! I've also heard Bodeguita Canaria in Santa Cruz de Tenerife is worthwhile.
  • Gran Canaria: La Marinera in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is said to be excellent.
  • Lanzarote: The small town of Yaiza is famous for the traditional bars in its main square.

Have you visited any of the Canary Islands? Where did you try papas arrugadas?

See Also

More Canary Islands

  • Lanzarote Winery Tour with Eco Insider
  • Hotel San Roque: A Fabulous Boutique Hotel in Tenerife
  • Best Bites in Tenerife
  • Best Bites in Gran Canaria

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Louise

    Just got home last night from Fuerteventura and had these papas arrugadas nearly every day yum! Now going to use your recipe to make them at home. I love simple but delicious food. After visiting the Canaries and seeing how important the sea is, it’s no wonder they cooked their potatoes in salty water. We also ate bass baked in salt - gorgeous!

    Reply

  2. Meks

    Canarian Papas Arrugadas Recipe (10)
    I love potatoes so have tried them everywhere I've eaten. The flavour, texture, saltiness, and crispiness of the skins varies widely, but none used the black or 'carnival' papas that you recommend and that I just bought.
    I love slightly crispy skin, so what do you think of adding olive oil or butter in the last stage of cooking?

    Reply

  3. Stephanie Thomas

    I lived on Gran Canaria for a year and would probably have papas at least once a week. I felt like I had to try everyone's different mojo. I gravitated to the rojo and found the absolut best I had was at this small bar/restuarant in a cave -- somewhere in the Guayadeque area if I recall. There are a few cave restaurants -- but this one was small. I think it was literally called Bar Restaurante Guayadeque. Go there for the best mojo!

    Reply

  4. Norman Rabek

    Canarian Papas Arrugadas Recipe (11)
    We visited Gran Canaria a couple of years ago, and had papas arrugadas multiple times with different mojos each time, all either red or green but a wide range of tastes and textures, and all great! I also came home with a Canarian cook book, "Los mejores recetas del Diccionario de Cocina Canaria" that covers a lot of the dishes we had there. It's available on Amazon now too!

    Reply

  5. Fran Yates

    Lived in Canary Islands (Las Palmas) for 5 years and loved all the Spanish food. Especially the papas arrugados!

    Reply

  6. Bill Martin

    Canarian Papas Arrugadas Recipe (12)
    potatoes in the canary islands also from the large Venezuelan heritage on the islands....

    Reply

  7. Jon McBride

    Canarian Papas Arrugadas Recipe (13)
    Having lived in Tenerife for 8 years I absolutely love the papas arrugadas at El Cine in Los Cristianos port. Also their sardines are fantastic!

    Reply

  8. Kevin

    You are absolutely right about these delightful potatoes...The ones at Arcon Tapas in Puerto are truly delicious and come with both red and green dipping sauces.

    Reply

  9. Keefieboy

    Looks good! I have a video for this on my YouTube channel. Delicious little things, they are.

    Reply

  10. Trevor Huxham

    These potatoes sound simple yet savory! Do you have a recipe for mojo sauce? I wouldn’t wanna put ketchup on these guys 😛

    Reply

    • Lauren Aloise

      I do! Apologies that wasn't so clear in the post-- I now linked to them in a separate line where it says "Get the recipes!"

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Canarian Papas Arrugadas Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is Papas Arrugadas made of? ›

The dish is made from small new potatoes which are cleaned (but not peeled), then boiled in salt water. Originally, seawater was used, but today it is more common to use tap water with a very generous amount of salt added.

How do you eat papas arrugadas? ›

Serving suggestions. Papas arrugadas are normally served with “mojo”, which means dip, or occasionally with alioli as a starter by itself or a side with the main course. There are three types of mojo to serve with them, mojo verde (green dip), mojo rojo (red dip), and mojo picón (spicy dip).

Can you cook wrinkled potatoes? ›

No, shriveled or wrinkled potatoes should not be eaten. "Potatoes that have started to shrivel, wrinkle or soften and develop long sprouts are not safe to eat," says Michael Handel, chef-instructor of Culinary Arts at the Institute of Culinary Education (ICE).

What are the black potatoes in Lanzarote? ›

They are small, round, and have a thin, delicate skin. The most sought-after variety is known as "papas negras" or black potatoes due to their purplish-black skin colour. The flesh of these potatoes is firm, buttery, and slightly sweet, offering a unique texture and flavour profile.

What is typical canarian food? ›

Traditional Canarian food can be described in two words: simple and delicious. With the emphasis on freshness, everyday Canarian dishes comprise grilled meats or fish (tuna, parrot fish, vieja, swordfish, sea bass), soups, stews and vegetables - many of which are surprisingly hearty.

What does papas mean in potatoes? ›

“Patata” and “papa” means the same because they're the same word, which is potato. Sweet potato is “batata”. “Patata” is mostly used in Spain, except from the Canary Islands, and some areas in the south of the country (Andalucía) where is used the word “papa”.

What is the history of papas arrugadas? ›

Papas arrugadas, wrinkled potatoes, is a typical dish of the Canary Islands, where potatoes have been cultivated since the 1600s, when they were first brought back to Spain by the conquistadores.

What is Papa's food in English? ›

I believe the closest possible translation of papas to English is porridge. Although I am giving it the name porridge, please don't confuse papas for a breakfast food. No, it was more an indulgence that could be eaten any time of the day. It was almost dessert-like...

How long does the papas take to boil? ›

Place potatoes into a large pot; cover with salted water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and allow to steam dry for 1 to 2 minutes. Mash potatoes with 1/2 teaspoon salt in a bowl until no lumps remain.

Why are my potatoes crunchy after cooking? ›

There are a few possible explanations for this issue: Potato Variety: Different varieties of potatoes have different textures when cooked. Some potatoes are naturally firmer than others. It's possible that the variety of potatoes you used may have a firmer texture, even when fully cooked.

Why are my potatoes still crunchy after cooking? ›

Firstly, ensure you've baked it at a sufficiently high temperature (around 400°F/200°C). Secondly, make sure you've allowed enough time for baking—large potatoes may take longer. Lastly, check if your oven is calibrated accurately; an incorrect temperature setting can affect cooking.

What happens if you overcook potatoes? ›

If you overcook them they disintegrate and your potatoes will be soupy. The specific cooking time depends on the size of your potato: a perfectly cooked piece of potato should give no resistance when cut with a knife, but shouldn't crumble into a million pieces.

Where are canarian potatoes grown? ›

Centuries have passed since the papa was first brought to the Islands and if they were in former times Andean, now they are decidedly Canarian. Hearty or delicate, large or small, yellow or white, grown in the soil of the north or south of Tenerife, they now form an integral part of our culinary tradition.

What is the famous outlaw potato? ›

Famous Outlaw Potato. Each potato is over 1 lb. before toppings! Butter, cheese, sour cream, bacon, chives and a heaping pile of meat on top.

What is the difference between papas and patatas? ›

Patata is generally peninsular Spanish, while papa is American Spanish. "papa" in the Canary islands and southern Spain. Are differents ways to call things, but is not a contraccion.

What is papa's food in English? ›

I believe the closest possible translation of papas to English is porridge. Although I am giving it the name porridge, please don't confuse papas for a breakfast food. No, it was more an indulgence that could be eaten any time of the day. It was almost dessert-like...

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