The Italian gastronomic culture has deep roots and is appreciated all over the world. When you are for the first time in a region you have never gone to, the first thing you want to do is taste the typical dishes of the place.
Sicilian cuisine is characterized by the presence of Mediterranean flavors, which over the years have undergone the cultural influence of the populations who have settled there.
Let’s find out what to eat in Sicily and what are the main dishes of this island.
What to eat in Sicily: here are three desserts not to be missed
Its fame has conquered the whole world, so much so that the recipe has undergone numerous reinterpretations: we are talking about cannoli. Originally this dessert was prepared during the carnival festivities, subsequently it found so much success that it became in effect a dessert of the Sicilian tradition. The cannolo is nothing more than a wafer that contains ricotta inside garnished with candied orange peel and chocolate chips; many times, ricotta is replaced with chocolate or pistachio cream.
Another dessert that has made the history of Sicilian cuisine is the cassata. It is a sponge cake made with sheep’s milk ricotta, almond paste, sugar glaze and garnished with candied fruit. Its decoration gives it a regal aspect and also for this dessert there are numerous variations, including the single-portion version.
According to tradition, its origins coincide with the Arab domination in Sicily (11th century), however over the years the granita has become one of the cold sweets most consumed by Sicilians. It always accompanies the classic brioche with tuppo and the favorite flavors of Sicilians (and not only) are: lemon, pistachio, chocolate and almond.
Here are the Sicilian dishes that you will no longer be able to do without
Among the various Sicilian dishes imported all over the world, the arancino stands out. Also called arancina, this product is the symbol of Sicilian rotisserie and is appreciated by everyone, both adults and children. It is a breaded and pan-fried timbale that contains rice with meat sauce, even if over the years the original recipe has undergone several changes, so much so that it has been transformed into a sweet dish. To date there are many Sicilian cities that compete for the authorship of this dish, however it remains popular in every location on the island.
One of the most famous first courses of the Sicilian tradition is pasta alla Norma. Made with macaroni (or other short pasta), pasta alla Norma is seasoned with an aubergine sauce (strictly fried) and basil, and sprinkled with ricotta salata. Originally from Catania, the name of this dish was coined by Nino Martoglio, a playwright who, appreciating the Mediterranean flavor of this dish, compared it to the homonymous work by Vincenzo Bellini.
Also praised by Forbes, street food has now become an integral part of Sicilian society. During these events it is possible to taste typical dishes, made entirely with local products; one of the delicacies that never fails are the Panelle. These are pancakes made with chickpea flour, parsley, salt and pepper, cut into rectangles and fried in abundant oil.