Hands-on Sicily

Visiting the vibrant markets of Sicily is a crash course in Sicilian cuisine, the natural world, and culture all at once. Here, I’m in Il Capo market in Palermo getting a lesson on spatola (or spatula aka silver scabbarfish or lepidopus caudatus) from the fish monger. Spatola is a beautiful silver, long fish found in…

Our May 2016 Tour, Day 4: Palermo’s Markets

Going to the market to purchase the day’s freshest ingredients is an institution in Sicily. On Day 4 of our May 19-31, 2016 Experience Sicily with Chef Melissa Muller tour, we’ll be exploring Palermo’s open-air, foodie’s paradises right alongside the locals. You’ll see bright yellow lemons, emerald green fennel, and wrinkled dates. You’ll smell earthy…

It’s Sardine Season

In winter and spring, sardines swim close to Sicily’s coast in order to mate. So, I guess you might call this time of year sardine season! As we approach Saint Joseph’s Day on March 19, I’ll tell you about some of the traditions of this major feast day in Southern Italy and Sicily. Sardines are…

Ceramics with Spirit

Susanna de Simone created this ceramic plate. She was born in Palermo in 1959, and from the time she was a child, has lived and breathed the art and technique of ceramics (Her father was a ceramist and her most influential mentor.). Her work, presented under the name La Fabbrica della Ceramica, can be seen…