It sounds like something to do with horses but the only connection rancho Canario has with horses is you need an appetite like one to eat it.
Rancho Canario is one of those ‘everything but the kitchen sink’ peasant dishes that uses up leftovers, doesn’t cost a lot and fills you to bursting point. That’s not to say it isn’t tasty though.
It’s also one of those Tenerife dishes that can vary from restaurant to restaurant; sometimes being like a thick soup, other times more like a chunky stew.
Generally, it consists of salted ribs, chorizo, chickpeas, potatoes, onion, tomato and noodles cooked in a stock. For additional flavouring paprika and saffron is added and occasionally garlic and cumin.
It’s a good hearty meal in itself and the crazy thing about it is that it usually shows up on menus as a starter. It’s a bit like fabada in Asturias in that way, you’re stuffed before the main course shows up.
The rancho Canario in the photo was at Meson del Norte in Buenavista del Norte.
Jack is co-owner, writer and photographer for BuzzTrips and the Real Tenerife series of travel websites as well as a contributor to lots of other places. Follow Jack on Google+
Sounds ideal for those cold wintry days in Tenerife……….oh……….hang on………. 🙂
LOL – exactly Sue 🙂 Best way up in the hills in Jan-March.
I hope not Jack ! 😉 my horses when I had them only ate grass , hay and oats ! Oh! forgot my Bluebell loved nettles too , but don’t know if she would have gone for nettle soup ! Joking apart .. I love that kind of country rustic food , give me that any day ..
It’s good stuff. I struggle with it a bit in the summer months though 🙂