I'm finally coming round from a middle ear infection. Half way into my stay on Gran Canaria I came down with an acute infection in one ear, then the following day the other ear! Painkillers didn't help anything and the flight home made it worse. Even with doctor's prescription eardrop the skull piercing pain rendered me unable to function for a whole week. I'm not out of the woods yet but at least the pain is gone and am now able to do everything again.
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When in a warm country or place I go on the "hunt" for tropical fruits, and here in Las Palmas there are a couple of markets. The markets are small but there are enough of a little of many (typical) things. Always fun and educational to check out the stalls and ingredients. 2 most popular things you will notice are fruits and cheeses. The same 2 things I'm crazy about. Canarian islands not only produce avocados but also big consumers. They eat 8+ more avocados than mainland Spain. Avocados are piled high, price is more or less the same at every stall/shop/supermarket.
I didn't try any of these "Antillean" avocados. They are less creamy, less fatty, and tastes milder. Why bother. Aaguacate Michoacano (avocados from Michoacan, Mexico) and aguacate Palmero (La Palma grown) are of such a high calibre that it's hard to accept anything less, especially when the good stuff is readily available.
The 3 most common varieties grown on these islands are Hass, Anayen (massive) and Antillean ("bottle neck"). The big Haas ones are my favourite, comparable to Michoacano in intensity of buttery mouthfeel and flavour.
One of the meat shops. Pretty sure these are standard cuts here but way better than in (food) hell where I live (and butchers' shops are not common anymore at home).
(Sub)tropical islands that grow and consume potatoes in large quantities. Love it!
(Sub)tropical islands that produce many types of cheese? Si! If I ever wanted to move to a warm place it would be one that had a cheese culture. Otherwise I would not consider it.
Many wonderful cheeses from all the Canary islands, plus some from mainland Spain.
Best food in the world!
I could buy some roe but the "kitchen" we had was only good for boiling water.
Percebes!
Round these parts they come from nearby Morocco. I usually buy some when I see them but not this time. The price...
I draw the line at 50,00. (In Tavira, Portugal, photo below)
Also from Morocco (photo in Madeira, Portuguese overseas territory). Have eaten perceves many times in Portugal for a lot less than anywhere in Spain.
I ate lapas every day in Madeira, where they are a common starter. Canarians eat lapas, too, but probably more at home. Didn't see them on menus here.
A new shrimp to me. Camaron Mogan. Probably come from the port town Puerto de Mogan in Gran Canaria but I could find no info. Small shrimp, bright red, have a specific pattern on the shell. Next time I need to find a lodging with a real kitchen so I could cook/eat the seafood from market.
There's a busy churreria-bar serving alcohol, good coffee, simple/light meals and of course churros. It was full so we waited a bit. Some locals were in the process of paying and getting ready to leave motioned to us to come over. They saved the table for us. Very nice of them. We ordered only 3, not knowing what to expect.
Well, guess what. 3 disappeared in no time. We looked round the place, even lone customers ordered a plate of 3. Parties of just 2 had a little mountain of churros between them.
Whilst waiting for the next batch of churros (it takes time and the place is full).
Second batch. After today we came back every morning for a big plate and bread with eggs. The friendly (and efficient) employees recognised us every time. The big city Las Palmas irks us a little but the locals are chill and nice.
2 German cruise ships in the harbour. The "Mein Schiff" line goes to most islands in this part of the world. Saw the same ships in Madeira.
Middle of winter...
The sky in the middle of winter... (Temperature was about 25C, the sign got hot from direct sun)
"Mercado del Puerto" is fake food market. It's a short walk from the cruise ship dock. They have some time to walk round the area and "discover" this "food market" where they eat tapas. The food stalls are set up for the cruise ship tourists. Prices are higher, of course.
Late lunch (almost dinner for us). A restaurant that had Viva beer on tap. Viva craft beer brewery is about an hour from the capital.
Does not tastes like "pale ale" but we are not in a real craft beer town so.
Not sure if the spelling is intentional.
Papas arrugadas with mojo rojo (Canarian red sauce). So it's true. Palmeran mojos are way better. Now I can say Palmerans have the right to boast about their mojos. Waxy potatoes are cooked with a big pinch of coarse sea salt. Though not salty but if you avoid salt then maybe these are not for you.
I forgot to ask what the "salsa" was. Quite a lot of pepper sauce in this "entrecot en salsa". I would have liked none.
Fish a la plancha with garlic. More chance of getting a parrotfish on Lanzarote than here.
Back in the flat later. Cider from Asturia for a change, not sure when we'll make it to Asturia.
Finally found it! Fried egg flavoured crisps. This flavour is common in parts of Andalucia, not so common here. The only one we found.
