Papas Arrugadas con Mojo (Canarian Wrinkled Potatoes with Mojo Sauce)
Local name: Papas arrugadas con mojo
In short: Small potatoes boiled in heavily salted water until their skins wrinkle and crust with salt, served with a garlicky red mojo sauce from the Canary Islands. It takes about 45 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 310 kcal
Papas arrugadas, wrinkled potatoes, are the Canary Islands' most famous dish. Small potatoes are boiled in water so salty it tastes like the sea, then dried over the heat until the skins wrinkle and a white salt crust forms. They are eaten whole, skin and all, with mojo, a garlic and paprika sauce. Red mojo is the usual partner, with a green coriander version as well.
Instructions
- Choose potatoes of a similar size so they cook evenly. Put them in a wide pot in a single layer and add water until it comes about three-quarters of the way up them. Stir in the coarse salt until most dissolves.
- Bring to a boil and cook uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, until a knife slides in easily. Do not stir.
- Drain, leaving about 2 tbsp of the liquid in the pot. Return the pot to low heat and shake for 2 to 3 minutes, until the water evaporates and the skins wrinkle and turn white with salt.
- For the mojo, pound the garlic, cumin and 1/2 tsp salt to a paste in a mortar, or blend. Add the paprikas, vinegar and water, then stir or blend in the oil until smooth.
- Serve the hot potatoes in a bowl with the mojo for dipping. Eat them with their skins.
Tips
- For green mojo, blend a bunch of cilantro with 3 garlic cloves, 1/2 tsp cumin, 80 ml (1/3 cup) olive oil, 2 tbsp vinegar and 1/2 tsp salt.
- Use small potatoes with thin skins. Larger ones can be halved, though the skins wrinkle less. The salt stays mostly on the surface, so wipe it off if you want less.
Questions and answers
Why are papas arrugadas boiled in so much salt?
The strong brine seasons the flesh gently through the skin and leaves a white salt crust as it evaporates. Most of the salt stays on the surface.
Can I make papas arrugadas with large potatoes?
Yes. Cut them in half, keep the skin on and cook a little longer. The skins wrinkle less than on small new potatoes.
How long does mojo keep?
In a jar in the fridge for up to 1 week. The flavor deepens over a day or two. Stir it before serving, since the oil separates.
How long does it take to make Papas Arrugadas con Mojo (Canarian Wrinkled Potatoes with Mojo Sauce)?
About 45 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Papas Arrugadas con Mojo (Canarian Wrinkled Potatoes with Mojo Sauce)?
About 310 kcal per serving, with 5 g of protein, 43 g of carbohydrates and 13 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 310 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 5 g |
| Carbohydrates | 43 g |
| Fat | 13 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 900 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
