Papas Arrugadas con Mojo Verde

As you may have read earlier… my husband grew up in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands in Spain. And as Anthony Bourdain said in his show No Reservations in Spain, that Spanish food is probably one of his best eating experiences in the West. We passionately second that one! 

Spanish food is fabulous but the Canary Islands boast the dish Papas Arrugadas con Mojo or Wrinkled Potatoes with Green Sauce.

Papas (Paa•paas)
Arrugadas (Aa•roo•gaa•das)
Mojo (Mo•ho)
Verde (Ver•day)

Anyone who has visited the Canary Islands has most certainly tried a Mojo Verde (green sauce) or Mojo Rojo (red sauce). Both of which are eaten with these wrinkled skin potatoes. 

The baby potatoes are boiled with with a handful of sea salt. In order to get the right amount of salt for the water, put a generous amount of sea salt in boiling water and then add a baby potato to the pot. If the potato sinks to the bottom more salt is required.
Don’t flip out at the amount of salt as it isn’t consumed.
Once the potatoes are boiled, pour off the water (do not strain) and place the pot back on low heat and gently shake it until the remaining water has evaporated and the salt has crystalized on the skins and they wrinkle slightly.

Mojo Verde is made with either cilantro or parsley. Mine was made with cilantro, but they are both more delicious than the other!
In a food processor or blender blend one large bunch of cilantro or parsley (thick stalks removed) with 1 bulb garlic, 1/2 tsp cumin and 1/2 cup vinegar. Slowly stream in 1 cup oil while blending.
Taste and add salt and more vinegar if required. 

A twist to this would be to add 1 ripe avocado to the food processor or blender while processing to make a Mojo de Aguacate or Avocado Sauce.

Serve the wrinkled potatoes at warm with the sauce generously poured over it.

Use the Mojo Verde to marinate fish or chicken, serve over it some grilled or poached vegetables, seafood or meats.

The Canary Islands have other mojos too, orange or almond, but these are usually made for festive meals at homes. Restaurants on the islands no longer offer these sauces as much.