"Paponas": Santa Cruz Carnival's Iconic Fuel
Large baked potatoes, known as "paponas," have become an essential energy boost and cultural symbol for thousands attending the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival, offering warmth and sustenance throughout the non-stop celebration.
The Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival is famous worldwide for its lively atmosphere and huge scale. To keep going through days of non-stop celebration, people need food that gives them energy. Here, one particular dish has become a key part of the festival, more than just a meal – it's a cultural symbol. Local media reports that "papas asadas," or baked potatoes, known by locals as "paponas," "paponazos," or "papatazos," are the essential energy boost and symbol for thousands of carnival-goers.
These large, oven-baked potatoes don't just refuel you; they're also big and stay warm, making them perfect for fighting off the chilly early morning temperatures during the carnival. They are baked slowly, with the first batch taking about an hour to get that soft inside and crispy skin.
Once cooked, the potato is opened up and filled with a mix of ingredients – a combination that locals, known as "chicharreros," all know and love, even if the exact details aren't specified. Then come the sauces: alioli is a favourite for those who like a bolder flavour, and fried tomato is another popular choice. To make it easy to eat while walking, the "papona" is traditionally wrapped in foil. This keeps it warm as carnival-goers move from one part of the celebration to another.
More than just food, the "papona" is a real tradition for carnival participants. For many, buying and eating one – whether sharing it with younger people at the fair near the bus station, or grabbing one from stalls in La Alameda and the main squares in the early hours – signals the official start of the street party. This simple dish has become a symbol of local spirit, offering a practical and energetic way to keep the celebration going strong from dusk till dawn.