Don’t Leave Sicily Without Tasting This

Sep 9
10:32

2016

Lisa Jeeves

Lisa Jeeves

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Amongst the extensive delights of Sicilian cuisine, there are some things you really shouldn't miss the chance to taste if you’re visiting the island.

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While every region in Italy has its own special take on the traditional national gastronomy,Don’t Leave Sicily Without Tasting This Articles Sicilian cuisine, more than any other, has a certain exoticism, which is unique to this deeply historical island. Influenced by a host of different cultures over the centuries, Sicilian cuisine is a fabulous fusion of Arabic, French and North African cookery jumbled up in a huge Mediterranean melting pot and coming out the other side with a flavour and personality like no other.

I've spent many pleasurable hours (days, weeks, years…) exploring the never-ending delights of Sicilian cuisine; I've come up with a few specialities that, while not an exhaustive list by any means, I tell my clients, "You mustn't leave without tasting…"

Sfincione

This is Italy, so forgive me, pizza is naturally the first thing on the list. But Sicily's pizza is quite different to what you'd find on the mainland. The traditional version, Sfincione, is what's known as 'white' pizza, which means the topping is predominantly cheese, onion and anchovies, and the base is really, really thick – like a focaccia. Very delicious and very filling.

Pasta alla Norma

The name might sound familiar, but you haven't lived until you've tried the original and best version of this sauce, which came from here. Simple, rich and chin-dribblingly delicious, the dish comprises an aubergine, salted ricotta and tomato sauce served generously over short pasta. Named after the famous Puccini opera, in my books this perennial pasta favourite deserves as many accolades as its namesake's creator.

Caponata

If you could bottle the island and put it in a jar, it would look and taste a lot like caponata. Made from a base of tomatoes and aubergines, there are many different versions of the dish utilising other ingredients like raisins, capers, pine nuts and various vegetables. The addition of lashing of local olive oil and red wine vinegar gives the caponata its distinct sweet and sour taste. Memories in every mouthful…

Pane con la Milza

I've had some of my most magnificent experiences of Sicilian cuisine from the many street vendors of Palermo, and this sandwich is one of them. Made with a filling of pork spleen (stay with me), the meat is boiled and then slow-cooked in lard to create the most exotic, melt-in-your mouth taste sensation you've ever encountered. Served on a soft roll, this is next-level street food flavour – although, in reality, it's been around for centuries here.

Arancini

Another familiar dish with its origins here, arancini are the delicious rice balls served up all over the island, with each area adding its own regional twist. In Syracuse the rice is cooked with mozzarella and tomato before being rolled into balls, while in Catania you'll find arancini stuffed with mozzarella, peas and ragu, and in the central towns and villages you'll be served up chicken liver-stuffed arancini.

As I said, these are certainly not the only things you "shouldn't leave Sicily without trying", but I wouldn't want to deprive you of any fun, so I'll leave you to discover the rest for yourself. Buon appetito!

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