La Palma blogger: The typical food of La Palma

The admirers of fresh and healthy food have found their paradise on the Canary Islands and La Palma especially. Not only, that every household has growing something in the backyard, there are a lot of offers on the road, just sold out of a van. Fruits all over the island, harvested at least twice a year, vegetables same thing. Herbs are always needed and always available. Outdoor fresh markets at the weekends are typical and in addition to the market halls Los Llanos and St. Cruz, but they are closed on Sundays.

The most exciting booth for specialties in the market hall of Los Llanos

“Palmeros” like to shop fresh food every day and often just around the corner, in the small grocery shop, which is family owned. Everybody knows everybody and shopping here is socializing just likeat the water fountain in earlier times. Buying a lunch needs 3 minutes, but shopping was an hour, because of the intense change of latest news with the shop owner and neighbors. Supermarkets are also available but not the favorite place to shop for islanders. Some “Super Mercados” already close their doors for ever.

"La Rosa's" little shop for the everyday needs, on the road to Las Manchas

Little shops, often with no more space than a family room, is just the right environment for getting everything you’ll need for the next meal. Like the shop from “La Rosa” on the road to Las Manchas. You get the best jamon serano here, absolutely thin sliced, green olives, tomatoes, bread still warm, vino and aqua, that is all you need. Just look out for a shady place with an ocean view and you will enjoy one of your best lunches ever. Did you bring bananas or oranges, a papaya with fresh lime juice? That’s your desert today and after lunch? Right… Siesta! Nothing works between 1pm to 4 pm take your time and enjoy an out nap in the cool atlantic breeze.

Rosa knows your desire regarding Jamon Serano - very thin sliced!

There comes a freshly picked garden fresh salad on the table, where I live, that’s just normal. Also the veggies self grown, just sliced and into a pot, some herbs and done is great meal together with seafood or steaks, just brought from the fresh market to complete a delicious dinner. Even the “papas arugadas” potatoes boiled in their skin in saltwater, are from the backyard and have a great taste together with “mojo verde”.

Typical "Palmero" selection of a harvest from the backyard.

Restaurants in general are having the typical island kitchen to their offer, but are specialized sometimes for seafood or grill (parilla). Because of springtime conditions all year round, there is nothing you have to miss. Fruits and veggies in just an overwhelming amount of sorts. Have you ever eaten black tomatoes? You are probably impressed of the bold tomato taste.

Black tomatoes with an incredible taste. Call them Lava-Tomatoes

Hamburgers, hot dogs? Yes also, but not very often and just for tourists, in beach zones. Inhabitants are eating a bocadillo for lunch, that’s their fast food. It’s a short baguette with chicken or, steak, or tuna, or a tortilla espaniolla on it, always veggies and a spicy cream or ayoli on it. The best bocadillo actually, you’ll get at the coffee shop of Los Llanos’s fresh market but not after 1:30pm.

A garden fresh salad is always part of every meal, here with figs and beet on greens.

Smoked goat cheese, you have to try those cheese and do not forget olives and a white wine for this meal. I do like the smoked cheese actually with a red spicy mojo on it and together with jamon serano, the best ham ever. Bodegon Tamanca is famous for their jamon serano. They offer a special jamon serano from black pigs.