Canarian Old Clothes is a popular and humble stew from Canarian cuisine, made with chickpeas and leftover meat.
The recipe emerged as a way to use up leftover meat stews. What looked like “old chlotes” on the plate—shredded and mixed pieces—was transformed into a delicacy thanks to the combination of spices, chickpeas, and a flavorful sauté.
Although there are versions in various places around the world (Cuba, Venezuela, even the Iberian Peninsula), Canarian Old Clothes has its own personality and has become an indispensable dish in many homes and guachinches on the islands.
It’s a very filling dish, rich in protein (from the meat and chickpeas), carbohydrates (from the potatoes), and fiber and minerals (from the legumes and vegetables in the sofrito). Hence, it has traditionally been a energizing dish to face hard days in the fields or fishing.
This recipe is an example of sustainable cooking, where nothing is wasted.
Basic ingredients
The fundamental elements of Canarian Old Clothes are:
- Meat : Usually shredded beef or chicken. In some recipes, it’s mixed with pork.
- Chickpeas : provide consistency and nutritional value.
- Potatoes : fried in small cubes, which are added to the stew.
- Sofrito : onion, pepper, tomato and garlic, along with spices such as paprika, bay leaf, oregano and cumin.
- White or red wine : to give an aromatic touch and round out the flavor.
The result is a creamy, spicy, and nuanced dish, with the perfect balance between the creaminess of the potatoes and the texture of the chickpeas.
Preparation
1. Prepare the meat and chickpeas
- If you’re making it with leftover stew or stew, the meat will already be cooked; just shred it into strands.
- Chickpeas can be cooked at home (soaked overnight and boiled) or canned, well washed.
2. Fry the potatoes
- Peel and cut the potatoes into small cubes.
- Fry them in plenty of hot oil until golden brown and set aside on absorbent paper.
3. Make the sofrito
- In a large frying pan or cauldron, sauté the finely chopped onion, pepper, and garlic in oil.
- Add the grated or crushed tomatoes and let them reduce until they form a sauce.
- Add the bay leaf, paprika, and cumin, stirring well to prevent the spices from burning.
4. Combine the ingredients
- Add the shredded beef and chickpeas to the sofrito, mix well, and sauté for a couple of minutes.
- Pour in the white wine and let the alcohol evaporate while the stew thickens.
5. Finish the dish
- Add the fries and stir gently to combine.
- Adjust with salt and pepper.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.
Where to eat Canarian Old Clothes?
Old Clothes is found in many traditional restaurants, especially in guachinches, those typical establishments in the north of the island that serve home-grown wines and homemade dishes. There, it’s often served as a generous portion, ideal for sharing with wrinkled potatoes or a good glass of red wine.
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