Traditional Sicilian Baskets

These traditional Sicilian baskets handmade from river reeds are used for countless purposes. This particular size with the handle may often be seen tied to a rope, being lowered from balconies throughout Sicily. Called “un panaru” in Sicilian, they are used to carry everything from fruits such as lemons, grapes, and olives to foodstuffs like…

The Vendemmia In Sicily

Currently throughout Sicily grape growers are measuring the sugar, acid, and tannin levels of their grapes in preparation for the annual vendemmia, or grape harvest. Up to now, wine-making has been about caring for the vines, pruning the growth, and ensuring that the fruit has received enough air, sunlight, and water for an abundant and…

The Ancient Art Of Basket Weaving In Sicily

Claudio Romano has a deep knowledge of medicinal herbs and wild plants, especially those from the Hyblaean Mountains of southeastern Sicily. Building on his passion for flora, Romano learned the art of basket weaving, a practice that has existed since humans sought containers to keep their foodstuffs and other products. Watching him work and learning…

Baskets for Heaven 

Sheep herding and cheese making has been part of life in Sicily for centuries. The baskets pictured were used for making, molding, and aging sheep milk cheeses such as pecorino, primo sale, and ricotta before modern health codes required plastic imitations to be adopted. 

The craft of basket weaving has been practiced in Sicily for centuries. The warm climate of the island is ideal for the dwarf fan palm tree that bears leaves exploited for making many styles and sizes of baskets. #experiencesicily #sicily #sicilia #sizilien #siciliabedda #italy #italia #italien #sicilytourism #sicily_tourism #sicilytravel #sicily_travel #ig_sicily #siciliaph #siciliafoto #fotosicilia #igerssicilia…

Ricotta salata cheese is made from sheep’s milk. It is made from the milk whey left over from the production of other cheese, like Pecorino Siciliano, in this case. Here, it is in the form of fresh ricotta, set in baskets to age into a salty bliss. #cheese #formaggio #ricotta #sheep #pecore #baskets #cestini #sicily…