Wyndham Wisdom

Easy Tapas Recipe of the Canary Islands

This potato-and-sauce combo is a favorite tapas dish on the Canary Islands

BY REGINA SCHRAMBLING

Wrinkled is a word not generally associated with either good or food. But on Tenerife, and in Spanish, it's one of the most alluring adjectives on menus, right after the word potatoes.

A signature dish of the Canary Islands, papas arrugadas is served with two garlicky dipping sauces. The potatoes--waxy little ones--are traditionally boiled in sea water, which leaves the skins shriveled and coated with a dusting of salt. They're great by themselves but even better dunked into the Canarian translation of salsa: mojo. Both green and red versions are always served with this dish, most often as an appetizer or as tapas, with the good local wines. Consider them the chips and salsa of the Canary Islands.                      

PAPAS ARRUGADAS CON DOS MOJOS (wrinkled potatoes with two sauces)

Mojo verde (GREEN SAUCE):
1 large jalapeño, seeded and chopped
3 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
½ cup cilantro or flat-leaf parsley leaves
½ tsp. ground cumin
¼ cup sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
Sea salt to taste

Mojo colorado (RED SAUCE):
2 dried red chilies (anchos work well)
2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
1 tbsp. hot Spanish paprika, smoked or sweet
½ tsp. ground cumin
3 tbsp. sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar
5 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
Sea salt to taste

POTATOES:
24 white or Yukon Gold baby potatoes, scrubbed
3 tbsp. coarse sea salt

For the mojo verde, combine everything but olive oil in a blender or food processor; process until puréed. With the machine running, drizzle in the oil and process until sauce is emulsified. Do the same to make the mojo colorado. Place potatoes in a large pot and add water to just barely cover. Stir in salt until it dissolves. Bring to a boil and cook until potatoes are easily pierced. Drain off any remaining water, return the pot to the heat and cook, shaking the pan, until all liquid is gone and the potato skins are slightly wrinkled. Serve with the two mojos. Serves 4 to 6.

STAY

RCI affiliated resorts on the Canary Islands include:

Apartamentos Tropical Park On-site restaurant, disco and grocery. 41 Avda. el Jable, Adeje, Tenerife

Beverly Hills Club
Sports center has squash, bowling and more. 9 Calle Rodeo, Arona, Tenerife

Club Tenerife
Near beaches and Octopus Aquapark. Los Diamantes II, Arona, Tenerife

For additional resort listings, visit RCI.com or call 800-338-7777 (Weeks) or 877-968-7476 (Points). Club Members, please call your specific Club or RCI telephone number.