Eggplants are to Sicily like potatoes are to Ireland, and now they are in full season. This weekend in Santa Maria, a hamlet of the town of Milazzo, they have been celebrating this staple with the 28th annual Eggplant Festival, or Sagra della Melanzana. Farmers brought their prized eggplants to compete for the grand title,…
Tag: melanzana
Irish: Potato, Sicilians: Eggplant
These “tunisine” eggplant are from Palermo’s historic Ballaro’ open-air market. Eggplant is a staple in Sicilian cuisine. The Irish have potatoes; Sicilians have eggplant, or “melanzane.” These, a breed that originated in Tunisia, are perfect for eggplant “alla parmigiana.”