This canary yellow melon, pictured, is called a Melone Cartuccia in Sicilian. It is currently in season in Sicily. Until recently, this wasn’t common outside of southern Italy. It’s best cultivated in dry, arid climates (In the U. S., for example, in a region like southern California); however in the past couple of years, I’ve…
Tag: estate
It’s Ferragosto. Let’s go to the beach!
Sicily is shutting down. Well, all of Italy is really, because it’s Ferragosto! After Christmas and Easter, Ferragosto is the most important holiday of the year. Monday, August 15 is the holiday; however, most Italians use it as the centerpiece of a longer vacation. The cities empty out, and citizens head to the mountains or…
Sicilian Twilight
The sea at Aspra with Monte Catalfano in the background
Melon Yellow
These beautiful yellow melons are now coming in to season in Sicily. These are so good! Sweet and juicy when ripened to “just right.” The town of Joppolo Giancaxio (Agrigento province) will celebrate their harvest of these melons with a sagra this coming weekend. Tastings of melon-based dishes will be enjoyed alongside arts and crafts…
One Monster
One of what was once over six hundred, now approximately 70, statues of monsters, fantastic characters, imaginary animals, knights, ladies, peasants, and musicians that decorated the outer walls and grounds of Villa Palagonia in Bagheria. (Photo by Experience Sicily’s Filippo Buttitta)
Sicilian Holiday
Buona festa! It’s Ferragosto! This week marks “ferie” throughout Italy. Italians and Sicilians close up shop in the cities and flock to the sea or mountains to meet-up with friends and family to enjoy vacation. For Sicilians who live outside of Sicily, it’s a time to return to Sicily for Ferragosto-related feasts in honor of…
Palermo’s Quattro Canti: She Represents Summer
At the center of Palermo, the intersection of Corso Vittorio Emanuele and Via Maqueda is called Quattro Canti, or Four Corners. Quattro Canti is octagonal in shape, and it is flanked by four 18th century Baroque facades, each with a fountain and a series of statues. On the first level–the street level–are images representing the…
Dreamy Noto
Balcony and window boxes with flowers photographed in Noto.
Heat is on the Way
It’s really cold right now in New York City where I live (-12C, if you must know). So, I’m warming my heart thinking about this hidden swimming spot in the cliffs of Mongerbino called I Francesi. A couple of years ago, my cousin Filippo (who took this photo) brought me here to swim. I can’t…
Yes, It’s Really that Color
Dreaming of summer and swimming at Lo Zingaro Nature Preserve.