As is customary on the last Saturday of January, Florida was filled yesterday with the scent of pot, a distinctive fragrance, blending the aromas of this traditional dish with the dry broom details from Teide National Park, where it is simmered slowly for several hours.
At nine o’clock in the morning, within the grounds opposite the football pitch, the organising committee commenced lighting the fires and preparing the cauldrons, a total of 70, in which all the chopped vegetables and meat had been arranged the previous day. Pumpkin, beans, carrots, pineapples, potatoes, sweet potatoes, chickpeas, leeks, onions, cochino ribs, bacon, garlic, leeks, parsley, chayotes, and cabbage contribute to a unique flavour. The committee’s president, Toya Hernández, noted that 4,000 kilos of locally sourced products had been either cultivated or purchased thanks to the cooperation of the local neighbourhood and various businesses.
He mentioned that there were no significant issues in sourcing vegetables, except for a specific variety of cabbage known as ‘litter’. “Due to the drought, some were obtained while others had to be purchased,” he explained. The same situation arose with the chayota as a result of the recent winds.
In front of the cauldrons, bags containing 250 kilos of gofio were neatly arranged on a table for preparing the scaldon, which required constant attention throughout the process.
This beloved gastronomic event has become a hallmark in the Canary Islands. It forms part of the Florida celebrations in honour of San Antonio Abad and the Virgen de la Esperanza, which has been designated as being of Tourist Interest in the Canary Islands, attracting thousands from across the island each year, along with visitors from other parts of the archipelago and tourists eager to sample this dish.
Upon arrival, each team member knows precisely what their role entails. This year, the organising committee implemented several adjustments, including the addition of an entrance ramp and a separate exit to facilitate a more orderly distribution, with tables set up in the adjacent field so that attendees could savour their meals comfortably in the company of family and friends. Beach bars were also established at the entrance, selling drinks and skewers, where crowds gathered early on.
Despite initial concerns about rain, the sun broke through, delivering pleasant temperatures that allowed all scheduled events to proceed, including the livestock fair, the procession of the images of San Antonio Abad and the Virgen de la Esperanza, and the celebration of the Eucharist. Once concluded, after 1:00 p.m., the public began to gather and form lines in hopes of securing a pot of pot while members of the organising committee finalised the serving details. These portions were reserved for local residents of Florida who are ill or unable to attend, a tradition upheld since the inception of the event.
The local authorities were also present, including the President of the Government of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, his counterpart from the Tenerife town hall, Rosa Dávila, and the Mayor of La Orotava, Francisco Linares, along with the island councillors and members of the Municipal Corporation. Notably, there was no representation from the PSOE in any of the present institutions as it coincided with the celebration of its 15th Regional Congress.
The festivities in Florida will conclude today with the 42nd Romería in honour of its patron saints, an event renowned for its high participation from pilgrims, romers, and the general public.
