El Hierro Gastronomy

El Hierro cuisine is a true reflection of a rural society with highly characteristic local ingredients, marked by the purity of its earth and its produce, its traditions and the influence of other times and cultures. Summing up: simple, traditional cuisine that makes the island a really special dish.

 

Genuine El Hierro recipes and produce

Fish occupies a place of pride in the El Hierro diet. It may be fried, stewed or grilled. And always accompanied by the famous crinkly potatoes with red or green sauce – a typical combination all around the archipelago of the Canary Islands. Impossible to resist.

 

Cheese as the mainstay

One product that is never missing from any El Hierro dish is cheese. It is home-made – usually from goat's, cow's or sheep's milk. Many of the island's typical recipes are based on cheese. They include caldo de queso (cheese soup) – heritage from the island's pastoral culture, and quesadilla (a typical cheese-and-aniseed dessert).

Dare to make it at home?

 

  • 1 kg "queso fresco" (mild, unaged cheese) from El Hierro
  • 3 eggs
  • 250 g flour
  • ½ kg sugar
  • Aniseed
  • Puff pastry
  • Lemon
  • Cinnamon
  • Mash the cheese.
  • Add the eggs, a little aniseed, the rind of the lemon, the sugar, the cinnamon and mix.
  • Mix it into a paste and add the flour, mixing constantly.
  • Place a thin layer of puff pastry in a mould and pour in the paste.
  • Bake at 180ºC for approximately 50 minutes or until it is golden.


Since 1994, El Hierro has had its own Designation of Origin, certifying the quality of its wines. The Campo de Frontera cooperative makes the best wines for combining with El Hierro cheese. Most of the production is full-bodied white wines with personality and, to a lesser degree, some rosés with fruity aromas and young reds, bottled a few months after the grape picking.

On El Hierro, you can also try other typical Canary Island specialities such as watercress soup, chickpea casserole or meat and noodle stew. Escaldón (consommé), limpets, rabbit and kid or goat are some other typical ingredients of El Hierro cuisine.

 

Where to eat

In any coastal village, you can enjoy the flavour of the best fish, limpets and—even—shrimp. At La Restinga, you will find a delicious variety of fresh, top-quality produce.

Around the rest of the island, you will come across more traditional restaurants and others of a more contemporary style. But they all conserve the island identity and work with the best local produce.

If you would like to eat with a view, there are establishments where you are guaranteed an incredible sunset. For the full experience, La Peña viewpoint is the perfect spot. A work of art perfectly chiselled out on top of the cliff by the architect César Manrique, with one of the best panoramic views of El Golfo Valley.

“ The restaurant was located on the edge of a hill, offering spectacular views of the valley and the sea. It was like we were floating in the air at a great height.”

Xenia Van der Woodsen, German lifestyle and travel blogger

On El Hierro, you can expect an extensive menu of experiences... and dishes!