If we talk about gastronomy in the Canary Islands and more specifically about Gran Canaria as the second most important region in of the Canary Islands after Tenerife, there are three elements that must be taken into account: historical and cultural roots, foreign influence and a combination of elements and exotic cuisines from other places due to migration and tourism, giving place to a very rich gastronomy in Gran Canaria in a relative short period of time. 

This reality mentioned previously brought as a result a food culture that really stands out, regarding very tasty dishes and preparations where origins, influences from other places and combinations of distinctive gastronomies can be noticed right away. 

The experience of eating in Gran Canaria is something unforgettable, so let's talk about the best places and restaurants to visit, elements and ingredients mostly used in every preparation and a little bit of history and foreign impact other cuisines have had in Gran Canaria, especially the one from Africa, Europe and Latin America. 

Origins, foreign impact and combination in Gran Canarian Cuisine 

The origin of the gastronomic culture in Gran Canaria started with the native Canarian or also called Guanches, who centuries ago and from generation to generation passed elements and general culture, and of course ingredients used in the kitchen and preparations. This native influence can be noticed in simple but very tasty dishes the traditional Canarian food is based on. 

Fish, fruit, plantain, sausages, vegetables and preparations based on these like stewed meat and sancochos are very characteristic of the island. Preparations such as the potaje, gofio, wrinkled potatoes or papas arrugadas and fruit-based desserts are also from the islands, with very native roots as dishes that Canarian people still enjoy on their table to this very day. 

However, gastronomy in Gran Canaria cannot be separated from other cultural and historical events that have taken place there. For example, the Canary Islands have always been a territory of immigration, where mostly Europeans, Africans and Latin Americans, especially from Venezuela, came to these territories and settled, bringing at the same time their own culture, taste and gastronomic culture. 

With this new population that appeared over the years, new elements and preparations were added to the local cuisine of Gran Canaria. A high demand for cheese and wine started, steaks and more were brought and conquered the Canarians' taste and got there to stay. 

So, native influence in general and roots combined with elements brought by immigrants, also including the impact the tourist industry caused on the island and the population leaves as a result a very exotic and outstanding gastronomy culture, which is known all over the world and is a topic of discussion and a big reason to come to the Canary Islands and Gran Canaria.  

Emblematic dishes of Gran Canaria 

With such features and description, the gastronomy of Gran Canaria is very extensive, rich and includes all types of preparations where the influence of other cultures can be noticed, but at the same time keeping its roots. 

To begin with, there are many different types of starters that are very important in Spain and of course Gran Canaria, with the famous tapas that are eaten before the actual main dish is brought. 

In fact, in Gran Canaria the starters have their own name and are called “Enyesques”: Pejines, Gueldes (small fish), different types of sausages and cheese, gofio and others are frequent starters served in Gran Canaria, usually combining spicy, salty and sweet flavors in one place that could result quite challenging for tourists but also an experience.
 

Most main dishes in Gran Canaria are meat or fish-based preparations: carne fiesta, carajacas, vieja sancochada, atun con adobo are clear examples of plates that are very tasty and are almost a must when it comes to enjoy Gran Canarias gastronomy culture. Now, if Canarian most traditional food is the main interest, visiting a Guachinche is the place to go. 

And lastly, when it comes to desserts the Gran Canaria cuisine is definitely one to highlight, being the Canarians dessert lovers themselves, so a sweet treat can never be missed from a table. Examples are: bienmesabe, the famous bollos, huevos moles, leche asada and the mazapanes.