Lanzarote islanders lived for centuries on a natural diet based on cereals, pulses, fresh fruit and vegetables, goat’s milk and meat, wine and fish. In addition, the island has always welcomed new ingredients and new flavours from across the seas.
But with almost three and a half million tourists a year, the island has also had to quickly learn about other lifestyles and diets.
VEGETARIAN
Spain came late to vegetarianism. The country has suffered widespread poverty within living memory, when meat was a highly valued source of nourishment, and has placed high cultural importance on pork products for centuries.
Even twenty years ago you’d often find restaurants that seemed to have never heard of vegetarians or would recommend chicken Lanzarote islanders lived for centuries on a natural diet based on cereals, pulses, fresh fruit and vegetables, goat’s milk and meat, wine and fish. In addition, the island has always welcomed new ingredients and new flavours from across the seas. But with almost three and a half million tourists a year, the island has also had to quickly learn about other lifestyles and diets. or fish dishes to veggies. In rural Lanzarote, you may still find the odd place where this is the case, but generally it’s true that the island had adapted to new demands and lifestyles quickly.
The change has been caused by tourists demanding vegetarian dishes, younger people adopting healthier lifestyles and a more general awareness of the cruelty involved in meat production. Now, a restaurant that doesn’t take vegetarians seriously is limiting its appeal, and the island’s more adventurous and open-minded chefs have embraced the challenge.
What vegetarians should be aware of is the fact that many Spanish dishes use meat or chicken stock, or preserved meats such as ham, bacon or chorizo to add a little flavour, and these may not always be labelled. If you’re a vegetarian, it pays to get into the habit of talking about your food, asking waiters and shopkeepers the right questions and learning all the time.
VEGAN (AND DAIRY-FREE)
Veganism is also a fairly new concept on Lanzarote, but one that has been fairly well received, especially among younger generations.
Many of Spain’s favourite dishes are vegan, such as patatas bravas, gazpacho, salmorejo, ajoblanco, pisto, pimientos padrón and fried aubergines with cane syrup. The Canarian staples of gofio and wrinkled potatoes with mojo are also both perfectly vegan-friendly.
Lanzarote’s cuisine is also closely related to the Mediterranean diet, in which olive oil is almost always used instead of butter. With a wide range of pulses, seeds, nuts, vegetables, fruits and vegetables, you’ll rarely be stuck for vegan alternatives on this island.
If you’re avoiding dairy you’ll find a good range of plant-based milks in the supermarkets, but if you’re mildly lactose intolerant you may find that the island’s goat’s milk is perfectly digestible.
The Bodega Vulcano launched Lanzarote’s first vegan wine eight years ago, and many other winemakers are following the trend. In fact, most local wines are vegan, but many have not yet applied for certification.
GLUTEN-FREE
The staple food of the Canaries, gofio, is lightly toasted maize meal. Just avoid any brands that contain trigo (wheat) or cebada (barley) and, if you’re seriously celiac, it may be wise to stick to certified gluten-free produce., which you’ll find in most supermarkets.
All three of the island’s craft beer brewers make tasty gluten-free beers.
ORGANIC
Lanzarote’s history means that local farmers have often embraced pesticides – anything that aids crop survival was welcome. Chemical fertilisers are also widely used, although many traditional farmers use their own compost.
More recently, a number of growers have made a commitment towards organic produce. Their products can be found at local markets and health food shops, and many will deliver weekly boxes of produce.
SHOPPING
If you have special dietary requirements, it’s helpful to know where to shop.
SUPERMARKETS
There are five main chains on the island – HiperDino, Spar, Lidl, Mercadona and Aldi – and all offer varying ranges of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free products.
With the first two, try to get to the larger HiperDino and EuroSpar stores outside the resorts, which are better-stocked and cheaper.
These two have also started stocking ranges of organic fruit and vegetables in their larger branches.
Mercadona is good for nuts, seeds and tofu, while Aldi and Lidl are also well worth exploring.
The supermarkets are great places to stock up on staples and basics such as plant-based milks, oils, sugar, salt etc.
MARKETS
Lanzarote’s farmers’ markets are well worth a visit to source products such as freshly-picked fruit and veg, home-made wine, baked goods and free-range eggs. Not all stalls offer organic products but keep an eye out for those, such as the Finca Tres Peñas, that do. If in any doubt, ask!
The markets take place at Arrecife and Haría on Saturday morning, Teguise and Mancha Blanca on Sundays, Uga on Saturdays and Sundays and Costa Teguise’s Pueblo Marinero on Tuesday mornings. San Bartolomé also holds a market on the first Sunday of each month. If you’re in Haría, don’t miss the charming indoor market!
HEALTH FOOD SHOPS AND GREENGROCERS
Herbolarios (health food shops) generally stock a good range of vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free products and may also have locally sourced organic produce. These are also a good place to find vegan cheeses and other specialist products.
Smaller local fruterías, (greengrocers) such as Frutas y Verduras in Playa Honda or Tías Fruit, are also well worth supporting, usually with a far eco-friendlier attitude to packaging than the supermarkets.
ETHNIC FOOD STORES
Try Yash in Puerto del Carmen for pulses and plenty more vegetarian/vegan Indian products. Asian food stores in Arrecife are a good source of gluten-free noodles (rice/ sweet potato/buckwheat) and seaweed (kombu/ wakame/nori), as well as Chinese vegetables.
You’ll also find Moroccan and Latin American stores in Arrecife, which are well worth exploring for new flavours. British shoppers are also likely to find some of their favourite UK vegan products at the island’s British supermarkets in Playa Honda and Playa Blanca.
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