Tag: castelvetrano
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Tumminia, Sicily’s Ancient Grain
Tumminia (pictured at Molini del Ponte in Castelvetrano), also called Timilia, is an ancient grain variety cultivated in only a few locations in the Belice Valley in western Sicily. Once milled, it plays the role of principal ingredient in Castelvetrano’s Slow Food designated pane nero (black bread). Filippo Drago, owner of Molini del Ponte in Castelvetrano, makes…
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Me and My Dream Car
I’ve talked about this treasure in Castelvetrano before. Well, here I am enjoying a moment with it–my dream car, a Fiat 500 painted in the style of a Sicilian cart by the artists of Ceramiche Galfano.
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The 12th Day of Christmas
Happy Epiphany, the 12th day of Christmas! Painting hanging in a chapel of Chiesa di San Domenico in Castelvetrano (Trapani), “Circumcision of Jesus” (1580) by Simone de Wobreck (c. 1557 – c. 1587).
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Press It Good
In Sicily, the olive harvest for making olive oil is in full swing right now. Today, it is a highly technical process with stainless steel equipment exploited in squeaky clean, laboratory-type workshops. Before the modern press, this block of limestone, as one example, was the base of an olive mill. Imagine a series of wheel-shaped…
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In Just 9 Days
In the late part of the 7th century BC, the city of Selinunte was founded by colonists from the eastern Sicilian Greek colony of Megara Hyblea. Being the western-most Greek town in an area that was generally occupied by Carthaginian peoples, Selinunte faced a number of destructive episodes that finally ended in 409 BC. Carthage,…
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For the Sake of Cake
During Stirring Sicily, we were fortunate to have had a cake-making demonstration with nonna, the grandmother-in-residence at the agriturismo, Case di Latomie, at which we stayed. Here, the head chef, Francesco Gallo, assists grandma with the preparation of her breakfast cakes that were moist and sweet and beautiful to behold. Needless to say, we all…
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Sicilian Fiat 500
There are many treasures in Castelvetrano, and this Fiat 500, painted by Ceramiche Galfano in the style of the Sicilian carts, is one of them. Therefore, on your way to or from Selinunte archaeological park, be sure to leave some extra time to stop by to visit this masterpiece! Galfano has ceramic miniatures for sale…
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Antique Keys
Keys on olive tree ladder, Castelvetrano
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Stirring Sicily, Day 7.a: Our Honor to Meet His Honor
On our last day of Stirring Sicily, we had the great pleasure of meeting the mayor of Castelvetrano, Felice Errante, (center). His honor welcomed our Experience Sicily group, which was co-sponsored by Zest owners, Sharon and James Landis (right) along with beloved Zest teacher Antonino Elia (far left). You can see how full of joy…