Tag: foodie
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Pasquetta and Cassata
Pasquetta, or Easter Monday, is a day to celebrate spring’s arrival with good friends. Social gatherings in Sicily almost always involve sharing a meal, and most meals are followed by sweets. Cassata cake (picture) is one of those sweets that can be found throughout the island. In the past, cassata used to be associated with…
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Of course, Sfince di San Giuseppe
For many, the highlight of the Saint Joseph’s Day feast is the sweet sfince di San Giuseppe. Sfinci are fried cream puffs served hot with a dusting of cinnamon, confectioner’s sugar, and honey, or cold and open-faced with a smear of sweet cream and decorated with candied orange. Depending on the town, sfinci may have…
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Sfincione Bagherese, A Different Kind of Ambrosia
Sfincione from Bagheria is a very special thing. And this particular sfincione, from Panificio Ragusa, which sports an antique wood-burning oven, heated by burning olive branches, makes a sfincione that is hard to forget. Fresh ricotta, anchovies, onions, and breadcrumbs are masterfully baked into a thick, spongy bread. Someone recently posted on Panificio Ragusa’s Facebook…
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Our May 2016 Sicily Tour: Ortigia’s Mercato Antico
The Mercato Antico in Ortigia is one of Sicily’s most animated daily outdoor markets. Chef Melissa will be taking us through the stalls on the morning of Day 7 of our May 19-31, 2016 tour. While there, we’ll meet various merchants, learn about the various vegetables and fish in season, and enjoy a tasting lunch…
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Panettone with a Sicilian Theme
Sicilian infused panettone or pandoro … Stuffed with sweet ricotta! I couldn’t resist when I saw this at DiPalo in New York’s Little Italy. We ate it for breakfast on Christmas morning. Not exactly cassata, but a treat nevertheless!
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Coochy Coochy … Cuccìa
To celebrate Lucia, the Patron Saint of eyes, sight, light, and wheat, Sicilians eat cuccìa. Cuccìa is a pudding made of farro (wheat berries or barley), milk (in this case, ricotta), and honey or sugar. This culinary ritual is practiced in remembrance of the grain that finally arrived by boats on their way from North…
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Cazzilli: If Panelle Had Siblings
If panelle (chickpea fritters, a specialty of Palermo) had siblings, cazzilli would be panelle’s brothers and sisters. Cazzilli are potato croquettes. They fall into the street-food category of Palermitano cuisine. You can eat them with your fingers or together with panelle, they are often paired inside a sesame seed bun sprinkled with lemon juice and…
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What’s in Season
You’ll know what fruits and vegetables are in season in Sicily once you see what the guy on the corner is selling from his truck. (This one: In early July, peaches from the mountains)
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Black Lipstick… Sort of
In recognition of this week’s NY Times article, “In Sicily, Tasting Seafood with a Skeptical Son,” this intrepid traveler and writer wanted to share my love of black seppia ink/cuttlefish pasta with you all. It may not be for everyone, but for those of us who are adventuresome, the rewards are great! Travel encourages you…