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Almogrote is a cheese spread from the Canary Islands made from goat’s milk cheese and olive oil, with garlic, pepper, and salt added for flavor. It can be spread on bread or used on vegetables, and variations include adding potatoes, cloves, or tomatoes. The name may come from Arabic or Spanish, reflecting the cultural influences on Canarian cuisine.
Almogrote is a cheese plate that has a soft, yet somewhat thick texture, ideal for spreading on bread. It is native to the Canary Islands, specifically to La Gomera. Many people also consider the dish to be Spanish cuisine, as the Canary Islands are one of Spain’s autonomous communities. In addition to being spread on bread, almogrote can also be used on vegetables such as potatoes and tomatoes.
There are two possible derivations for the word “almogrote”. Some argue that it originated from the Arabic term “al mojrot”, which means “cheese sauce”. Others say it could come from the Spanish word “almodrote”, which is also a sauce made mainly from oil and garlic. Both of these possible derivations speak of how Canarian cuisine has influences from both Arab and Spanish culture.
Traditionally, almogrote is made from leftover, hardened, unpasteurized cheese, usually made from goat’s milk. The cheese is then broken up into smaller pieces by a mortar and pestle or a modern food processor for a faster method. To further soften the cheese, olive oil is mixed in. Other simple spices such as garlic, pepper and salt are added to the mixture, which should be minced well for the mixture to blend properly.
In some cases, ingredients are substituted or combined with other ingredients to give a different flavor. Goat cheese can be blended with sheep’s cheese, which has a creamier texture than the goat variety. Black pepper can also be substituted for or combined with cayenne pepper for a spicier kick. Tomatoes can also be included as an optional ingredient to give the dish more acidity.
Some cheese makers make other variations of the Canarian cheese spread by adding other ingredients. The Alogrogrote Receta includes cloves and potatoes, whose starch gives the dish more creaminess. Guachinerfe Almogrote is made with hard or aged cheese and replaces olive oil with vegetable oil. Some Americanized versions of the cheese plate sometimes add mustard and butter for a different flavor, texture, and color.
An important step in making almogrote is removing any oil that has emerged from the cheese after it has hardened, as the inclusion of oil could affect the texture and flavor of the dish. This cheesy paste also contains some nutritional benefits, especially the significant amount of calcium from the cheese. Olive oil supplies the body with healthy monounsaturated fat, while garlic contains antioxidants that keep the body’s cells healthy.
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