Papas Arrugadas – Easy Recipe (Canary Islands)
You’ll be hard pushed to find a Canarian restaurant that doesn’t serve papas arrugadas. They are personal favourites of ours, and go fantastically with fresh fish and a bit of salad… as well, of course, with some mojo verde (recipe to be found here: Mojo Verde Recipe) or mojo rojo
Ingredients (serves 4 as a side dish)
- 1 Kg small potatoes
- 1/3 cup coarse sea salt (Yes, really!)
Method
- Put potatoes in a single layer in a wide pot. Add water to half way up the potatoes (not quite covering the smaller ones).
- Add the sea salt (the traditional method used sea water)
- Bring the water to a boil and cover the pot with a tea towel (take care the tea towel doesn’t come into direct contact with the flame, or electric element)
- Reduce heat to medium, and cook for about 15 minutes until done (the water will evaporate a lot. Don’t top it up)
- The skins will begin to wrinkle slightly.
- Drain by carefully pouring the excess water out of the pot directly (very carefully… as you want as much of the salt to remain as possible)
- Turn the heat down the lowest it will go. Put the pan back onto this low heat. It will start to dry the potatoes.
- Shake the pot every once in a while to coat the potatoes evenly with the salt.
- Serve hot
These papas arrugadas are fantastic served on their own with mojo verde or mojo rojo, with or without their skins. However, they make such a fabulous accompaniment to fresh fish, steak or chicken and, despite the salt, are a much healthier alternative to chips.
There is an even easier method for these too… although I feel it is cheating somewhat, and it also takes quite a bit longer to cook. Pop a layer of the potatoes on a baking sheet or in a baking tray. Drizzle with a little olive oil, and sprinkle liberally with coarse sea salt. Bake, turning regularly, until the skins are crispy and the centres are soft.
February 15, 2014 @ 4:45 pm
I love these!
September 29, 2015 @ 9:08 pm
Must try this method. Just got back from the Fuertaventura where I ate loads of them!
September 29, 2015 @ 10:39 pm
Good luck Tina! There are recipes linked in the first part to the sauces too. A taste of your holibobs from your own kitchen. Enjoy!
Elle x
November 7, 2015 @ 4:11 pm
Oooh! I’m so glad I found this! We’re just back from a week in Tenerife where I ate these as often as possible. In fact, I bought some mojo rojo home with me (I had a feeling I’d never get the spices right!). Will be trying this for tea tonight :)
November 7, 2015 @ 6:29 pm
Home made is much better than the shop bought stuff. Glad you enjoyed it on your holiday – but now you can have it whenever you like xx