Canarian mojos are sauces characteristic of the islands’ gastronomy, rich in flavour and tradition, which have accompanied some of the most typical dishes for generations, becoming an indispensable element of the islands’ gastronomic culture.
Originally it was influenced by various cultures, brought by European settlers and merchants, but the Canarians knew how to adapt and perfect these recipes to make them unique.
Varieties of Canarian Mojos
There are several versions of mojo, but the most popular are red mojo and green mojo.
Red Mojo
It is the most popular sauce outside the islands and is made mainly with dried or fresh red peppers, garlic, cumin, olive oil, vinegar and salt. Depending on the amount of hot pepper used, it can be mild or very intense, the so-called mojo picón.
This mojo is perfect to accompany dishes such as wrinkled potatoes, meats or fish.
Green Mojo
This is made with cilantro or parsley, garlic, cumin, olive oil and vinegar. Sometimes a little green pepper is added to enhance the color and flavor.
It has a fresh and aromatic flavor, ideal to accompany fish, seafood and vegetables.
Other variants
There are other less common but equally delicious variants, some of which come from a specific island. You can also find:
- Almond Mojo: typical of the island of La Palma, this mojo combines toasted or raw almonds with garlic, peppers, olive oil, vinegar and salt. It has a milder flavour and creamy texture. Ideal for meats and roasts.
- Cheese Mojo: popular in Fuerteventura, where goat cheese is abundant and cured and grated cheese is used in the preparation of this mojo, which has a dense texture and intense flavour. It is used to accompany potatoes and breads.
- Yellow Pepper Mojo: uses yellow peppers instead of red or green, which gives it a brighter color and sweeter flavor. Ideal for salads or fish dishes.
- Gofio Mojo: gofio is mixed with garlic, cumin, vinegar and oil. The result is a thick texture and a characteristic toasted flavour, perfect for meats or vegetables.
- Avocado Mojo: A modern version that incorporates avocado into the traditional green mojo base. The result is a creamy texture and smooth flavor, with an exotic touch. Ideal for salads, white meats or dip.
Typical dishes with Canarian mojo sauce
Some of the most popular dishes that use Canarian mojo as a main ingredient or accompaniment are:
- Wrinkled potatoes with mojo sauce: wrinkled potatoes are the perfect pairing for both red and green mojo sauces. They consist of small potatoes cooked with plenty of salt, achieving a slightly salty skin and tender inside.
- Grilled cheese: smoked or semi-cured cheese grilled on a grill, accompanied by various types of mojos and honeys, is a delight for the palate.
- Escaldón de gofio: simple dish made with gofio and meat or fish broth, very popular. A touch of green mojo gives it an extra flavour.
- Grilled or baked fish: green mojo sauce, made with cilantro or parsley, is the perfect accompaniment to fresh fish such as grouper, grouper, grouper or tuna. The fresh and aromatic flavours of green mojo sauce enhance the flavours of the sea.
- Goat meat: stewed goat meat that is sometimes served with spicy red mojo sauce, achieving a magnificent contrast of intense flavors.
- Grilled or roasted meats: red mojo sauce is used as an accompaniment to chops, ribs or grilled chicken. The spicy touch of the mojo sauce combines perfectly with the juices of the meat.
- Rabbit in salmorejo: a traditional Canarian recipe that combines red mojo sauce with a marinade of spices and vinegar. It is cooked over a low heat so that the meat absorbs all the flavour.
- Sancocho canario: this dish consists of cooked salted fish, usually accompanied by wrinkled potatoes, gofio and green or red mojo. It is one of the most emblematic dishes of the islands, although difficult to find today.
- Canarian-Venezuelan arepas: due to the cultural connection between the Canary Islands and Venezuela, Canarian mojo has been incorporated into stuffed arepas, whether with chicken, shredded beef, tuna or cheese.
Where to buy mojos?
Most markets and supermarkets on the islands have mojos already prepared and packaged.
In local produce stores, municipal markets, gourmet product stores and similar, you will have more chances of finding mojos packaged by certain brands or companies that make more traditional and artisanal products.
Of course, in any guachinche or Canarian food restaurant you can taste typical dishes in which mojo is an important ingredient.
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