Sancocho, Watercress Stew or Canarian Ranch Served in Hospitals on Canary Day

The public hospitals of the Canary Health Service (SCS), under the Canary Government’s Health Department, will celebrate Canary Islands Day on Saturday, 30 May, by offering special menus to in‑patients.

The initiative aims to bring the festive spirit to hospitalized patients through a culinary proposal based on traditional Canary Island cuisine, making their stay in the health centre more pleasant. All menus have been designed and adapted to strict medical and nutritional guidelines, providing specific options for patients with diabetes, hypertension, low‑fat diets, astringent needs, or other therapeutic indications.

Special Menus in the Province of Las Palmas

• University Hospital Complex Insular‑Materno Infantil

  • First course: Canary ranch (rancho canario)
  • Second course: Fish sancocho with red mojo, gofio “pella,” sweet potato, and boiled potatoes
  • Dessert: Banana

• Gran Canaria University Hospital Doctor Negrín

  • First course: Canary ranch or veal soup
  • Second course: Pork chops, cilantro‑marinated fish, or vegetable “ropa vieja” with wrinkled potatoes
  • Dessert: Flan with bienmesabe (available in sugar‑free and regular versions)

• University Hospital Doctor José Molina Orosa

  • First course: Traditional corn soup (sopa de millo) with gofio, cilantro and olive oil
  • Second course: Wrinkled potatoes with mojo and marinated grouper (cherne)
  • Dessert: Canary‑style bienmesabe

• General Hospital of Fuerteventura

  • First course: Watercress stew (potaje de berros)
  • Second course: Goat meat in sauce with Majorero cheese and gofio “pella”
  • Dessert: “Mari Pepa” cake and banana
  • Special diet alternatives: Watercress stew (first course), onion‑cooked fish (second course), and either custard or papaya for dessert

Proposals in the Province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife

• University Hospital Nuestra Señora de Candelaria

  • First course: Watercress stew with gofio
  • Second course: Rabbit in salmorejo with “black” wrinkled potatoes
  • Dessert: Fresh papaya

• University Hospital of the Canary Islands

  • First course: Egg broth or pumpkin cream
  • Second course: Potatoes in sauce with Lanzarote sweet potato and gofio “pella”; alternatives include ribs with potatoes and cilantro‑mojo, or stewed cod for therapeutic diets; a vegetarian option of banana tortilla is also offered
  • Desserts: Gofio mousse, carrot gelatin, and banana

• University Hospital of La Palma

  • Menu: Chickpeas, onion‑stewed loin with sweet potatoes and gofio “pella,” followed by custard with biscuits

• Hospital Nuestra Señora de los Reyes (El Hierro)

  • Menu: Chicken soup, Canary “puchero,” and frangollo for dessert

• Hospital Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (La Gomera)

  • First course: Watercress stew with soft cheese
  • Second course: Cod with wrinkled potatoes and sweet potatoes, served with cilantro mojo
  • Dessert: Baked milk pudding with palm honey
  • Breakfast: Gomero sweets with chocolate

These specially crafted menus aim to honor the cultural heritage of the Canary Islands while respecting the health requirements of each patient.