Watercress is, perhaps surprisingly, a staple food on the Canary Islands. a surprise in dry Lanzarote, perhaps, but the peppery superfood has long been cultivated in the western Islands. This hearty soup is a speciality of La Gomera, and is one of the best ways to enjoy gofio.

Last month, Lanzarote received a major international honour in Rome after being recognised as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). We visited Lanzarote’s Centre of Agricultural Diversity (CBAL) and spoke to the Cabildo’s Minister of Agriculture and the Environment, Samuel Martín to chat about the island’s primary sector and other matters.