The residents of Florida, a locality in Tenerife, are making final arrangements to prepare the largest stew in the world this Saturday. The local inhabitants who visit this part of the municipality of La Orotava will be able to savour a portion for free of this traditional Canarian stew, renowned across the Island.
The anticipation surrounding this Orotavense culinary event is such that Titsa has increased bus services on routes 345 and 373, with a complimentary bus service also operating between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., departing every hour from Sor Soledad Cobián Avenue.
The residents of the iconic Orotavense neighbourhood have once again dedicated themselves this year to the creation of the beloved stew, which is set to be ready for sampling around 2:00 p.m., assuming everything proceeds as planned.
The mayor of La Orotava, Francisco Linares, converses with the residents of La Florida as they prepare the stew to be cooked this Saturday. / ED
This culinary celebration, a highlight within the Canary Islands, is anticipated to be a grand occasion similar to those held in previous years. The event is also expected to attract regional, local, and island dignitaries, including the president of the Government of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo; Rosa Dávila, president of the Cabildo of Tenerife, and the town mayor, Francisco Linares, among others. The Puchero will be prepared and enjoyed in the area situated in front of the neighbourhood’s football pitch.
The traditional pout is an integral part of the La Florida Festival, held in honour of San Antonio Abad and the Virgin of La Esperanza, which has been designated as Tourist Interest of the Canary Islands.
On Friday, over 130 volunteers of varying ages, along with more than a hundred students from CEIP Leoncio Estévez Luis, gathered to ensure everything was set for igniting the stove on Saturday morning.
The residents of La Florida prepare the giant stew that will be distributed free of charge this Saturday. / ED
Everyone collaborated diligently on Friday morning to prepare all the ingredients that will be used in the massive pout, which will be cooked on Saturday in approximately 70 large cauldrons and will serve more than 5,000 people. Distribution is set to commence at 2:00 p.m., following the celebration of the LIII Livestock Fair and the mass.
The ingredients comprise over 4,000 kilos of vegetables and meat, adhering to the traditional recipe but in larger quantities. This will include more than 700 kilos of pumpkin, over 700 kilos of chayote, 400 kilos of cabbages, 90 kilos of beans, 90 kilos of carrots, 20 kilos of pineapples, 18 bags of potatoes, 50 kilos of sweet potatoes, 80 kilos of chickpeas, pig ribs, bacon, 50 kilos of leeks, 20 kilos of garlic, 4 bags of onions, 15 kilos of parsley, and 250 kilos of gofio.
All these ingredients are sourced locally, cultivated by the residents of La Florida themselves, ensuring the authenticity of the traditional Canarian stew. The preparation of the stew takes place over low heat using dry broom from the Teide National Park and requires a minimum of two hours to cook.
