The Canary Islands
The Canary Islands were once known to the ancient Romans as the “Fortunate Islands”. The Canary Islands were named after the large dogs (Canes) found living on the islands.
The islands are located off the northwestern coast of Africa. The Canary Islands are one of the most popular tourist destinations, especially with Europeans.
The Canary Island's archipelago includes seven major islands, all remnants of very steep, extinct volcanoes. Weather conditions here are considered almost perfect, and the beaches are some of the best in the world.
The islands are located off the northwestern coast of Africa. The Canary Islands are one of the most popular tourist destinations, especially with Europeans.
The Canary Island's archipelago includes seven major islands, all remnants of very steep, extinct volcanoes. Weather conditions here are considered almost perfect, and the beaches are some of the best in the world.
Taste Buds
In 1493, Christopher Columbus called at the Canary Islands to take on provisions. Columbus enjoyed a month-long romance with the lady governor of the islands, and she gave him a bundle of sugar cane cuttings as a souvenir. In those days sugar cane was grown in warm spots around the Mediterranean, but it was a difficult crop to harvest and process, and sugar remained an expensive luxury.
The governor's gift was planted on the island of Hispaniola. It was the first sugar cane in the New World, which as far as the cuttings were concerned was sugar-cane heaven. The first harvest took place a few years later, and a sugar boom was under way. A sweet story indeed!
In 1493, Christopher Columbus called at the Canary Islands to take on provisions. Columbus enjoyed a month-long romance with the lady governor of the islands, and she gave him a bundle of sugar cane cuttings as a souvenir. In those days sugar cane was grown in warm spots around the Mediterranean, but it was a difficult crop to harvest and process, and sugar remained an expensive luxury.
The governor's gift was planted on the island of Hispaniola. It was the first sugar cane in the New World, which as far as the cuttings were concerned was sugar-cane heaven. The first harvest took place a few years later, and a sugar boom was under way. A sweet story indeed!
The Land of Atlantis?
Are the Canary Islands the last remnants of the lost continent of Atlantis? Some say they are. Keep an open mind and discover for yourself...
Are the Canary Islands the last remnants of the lost continent of Atlantis? Some say they are. Keep an open mind and discover for yourself...
Papas Arrugadas Recipe:
If you visit the Canary Islands, then you must try Papas Arrugadas with red or green Mojo sauce. You can also prepare this dish at home, but it tastes so much better when eaten in a tapas bar overlooking the Atlantic Ocean!
Ingredients:
Small New Potatoes
Sea Salt
Preparation:
Add the potatoes to a pot of very salty water (in the past the Canarians used sea-water).
The potatoes should float in the salty-water, if they don't you need to add more salt.
Bring to the boil and simmer for 20 minutes.
Now drain most of the water from the pot and cover the potatoes with a layer of salt.
Turn down the heat and gently shake the pot so that salt crystallizes on the potatoes.
Finally, turn off the heat and cover the pot with a tea-towel for 5 minutes (so that the potatoes turn 'wrinkly').
Serve with Mojo sauce.
If you visit the Canary Islands, then you must try Papas Arrugadas with red or green Mojo sauce. You can also prepare this dish at home, but it tastes so much better when eaten in a tapas bar overlooking the Atlantic Ocean!
Ingredients:
Small New Potatoes
Sea Salt
Preparation:
Add the potatoes to a pot of very salty water (in the past the Canarians used sea-water).
The potatoes should float in the salty-water, if they don't you need to add more salt.
Bring to the boil and simmer for 20 minutes.
Now drain most of the water from the pot and cover the potatoes with a layer of salt.
Turn down the heat and gently shake the pot so that salt crystallizes on the potatoes.
Finally, turn off the heat and cover the pot with a tea-towel for 5 minutes (so that the potatoes turn 'wrinkly').
Serve with Mojo sauce.