Efigenia watercress: La Gomera’s meatless stew that wowed Angela Merkel

“We always had this casserole on our menu,” explains Sergio Méndez, Efigenia Borges’ son and manager. Casa Efigenia, the oldest garden food restaurant in the city Europe Feeding the Scandinavian hippies of the 60s in La Gomera and enchanting Angela Merkel with its tasteHe had been in love with this island for years, enjoying long walks along the extensive network of trails in Garajonay National Park.

Efigenia Borges welcomes her customers with unforgettable anecdotes The story of his busy life on the island of La Gomera. To reach Efigenia House Not easy. It’s difficult to get anywhere on this volcanic island of steep cliffs, but It’s worth visiting Las Hayas and tasting this petite woman’s cooking. offers only Garden delicacies where meat and fish are prohibited.

The restaurant is full Scandinavian, German, Austrian, Swiss and Spanish tourists.“My father came from Cuba in the early 1900s. La Gomera “We decided we would never eat meat or fish again.” Borges explains this when talking about the immigrant history of the Canary Islands.

In that case, Efigenia House It was “a little wind” An island produce store operating since 1880. “We We started serving meals more than 60 years ago.“He recalls Borges, who flirtatiously refused to reveal his age.

First service at that time Gofio served with chopped cheese to accompany a small glass of house wine made with the Forastera Gomera variety, A living relic more than 500 years old.

The official dinner was opened with a ceremony Gofio boiled vegetable stew, stir and some salad. A delicious and healthy recipe that continues to be offered only to diners 12 euros.

Delicious for the same price watercress soup your house, a plate of white beans, carrots, tomatoes, onions, pineapple, oil, finely chopped watercress, smashed potatoes and garlic and parsley puree it may be accompanied by gofio or escaldón.

Because there is no meat again La Gomera Farm products have always been used to the maximum. Goats and cows have always been used to make cheese, and people drank whey. HE ‘tablefe‘, an extraordinary source of protein.

“All our customers who visit us are special,” says Borges, who does not hesitate to quote the former German chancellor. Angela Merkel or politician and Bundestag member Gernot Erler as well as some of its most famous visitors.

Efigenia’s fame in Germany is such that State television journalists go to Las Hayas to interview him.

“At first I communicated with them the way God gave us to understand, But over the years I have learned to say some words, today I think I can speak German”, He assures her that he adores her under the watchful eyes of his son Sergio Méndez.