Sicily is a very special place. As the largest of Italy’s islands, it’s certainly got its own feel and culture – ask someone who grew up there if they’re Italian, and they’ll usually say, ‘no, sono Siciliano!’ With ancient customs and traditions famous the world over, the locals are fiercely proud of their heritage, and that makes visiting Sicily a unique and magical experience.
For lovers of good food, Sicily is a must-visit. Walk around the cities of Palermo, Catania or Messina whilst eating deep-fried arancini or satisfy your sweet tooth with some freshly made cannoli. Pasta comes served alla norma, inspired by Mount Etna with the most flavourful aubergines stirred into a tomato sauce alongside plenty of basil and ricotta, or con le sarde, with the island’s incredible sardines put centre stage. It’s also home to some of the world’s best pistachios, harvested every two years in Bronte, while ingredients such as pine nuts and raisins are a common sight thanks to the island’s North African connection.
With a history and culture that would take a lifetime to discover, architecture that’s unlike anything on the mainland and some of the best examples of cucina povera in the whole country, Sicily is an incredible destination for anyone looking for a holiday rich in good food, good wine and good culture. Read on to get a proper taste of Sicily and all its culinary treasures.
If there's one snack that sums up Sicilian cooking more than anything else, it's the beautiful arancini – a stuffed ball of risotto rice deep-fried until crisp. Discover its origins and make a batch at home.
Sicilians certainly have a sweet tooth, and over the years the island has produced some of Italy's most famous sugary snacks. Get to know the most popular and cook the ones that take your fancy.
The Sicilians love aubergines and the vegetable is a perfect example of how the island has been influenced by both European and North African cultures. Here are the most popular ways the humble vegetable is prepared on the island.
As Italy's biggest island, Sicilians know how to make the most of the abundant seas surrounding them. The result? Incredible fish – particularly sardines – and even better plates of simple food prepared with whatever is at its freshest. Here are some of the best.
Want to eat breakfast like they do in Sicily? Check out these recipes for lemon and coffee granita with brioche – a very refreshing way to start the day.
Just like on the mainland, some of Sicily's tastiest (and, to be honest, more unusual) dishes can be found being served from stalls on the streets of its cities and towns. Whether you want something very authentic and traditional like pani ca meusa (warning: contains guts) or prefer to try the island's take on pizza, there's no chance of going hungry.
From cheese to fish to vegetables, the cuisine of Sicily certainly isn't short of variety. Check out these three lesser-known dishes for a truly authentic taste of the island.
One of Sicily’s best-loved chefs, Ciccio Sultano has travelled as far as New York to hone his craft. Now back home, Ciccio’s two-Michelin-starred restaurant Duomo is the standard bearer for Sicilian haute cuisine, attracting diners from far and wide to the city of Ragusa.
As one of Sicily’s most prominent chefs, Accursio Craparo puts the flavours of the east and west of the island centre stage at his eponymous Michelin-starred restaurant in Modica.
As a die hard Sicilian through and through, Pino Cuttaia’s cooking is a celebration of everything good about the island’s food. His personal interpretation of the region’s famous dishes has made his restaurant La Madia a bastion of Sicilian cuisine.
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