On first glance, you might think that my mom, Claire, is standing in front of a pile of snow; however, on second look, she’s standing in front of a pile of salt! Yes, that’s right, this is harvested sea salt in Nubia, Trapani on the side of one of the salt pans. The Phoenicians were…
Tag: sale
Salt to Taste
I love when art and utility meet. Here’s my salt holder, which is over my stove in New York City, made by Palermo ceramica artist, Nino Parrucca. Of course, it’s filled with sea salt from Trapani! Just lift the door, and salt to taste.
Northwestern Sicily’s Salt Flats
The salt flats of Trapani and Marsala (This one pictured is in Nubia.) can trace their origins back to the Phoenicians who colonized and developed the area starting around 700 B.C. The Phoenicians, who soon after became known as Carthaginians because of their establishment of Carthage (i.e. modern-day Tunisia), were master mariners, fisherman, and traders….
Salt of the Earth
Salt, right from the source, at Nubia’s salt flat in Trapani.
Silver Sky in Trapani
Trapani’s salt flats at dusk with a full moon overhead.
Dusk in Trapani, Sicily
Trapani’s salt flats at dusk.
Coral Salt Earrings
Jewelry-designer Daniela Neri created these unique earrings that recall Sicilian ceramics with tarantella dancers. Daniela is a native of Trapani, and she takes the salt from the local salt flats and makes “coral” out of it–in other words, the beads that you see are not made of semi-precious stones, shells, coral, or glass, but of…
Salt Jewelry
Jewelry-designer Daniela Neri created this unique necklace that recalls a Sicilian cart. Oh, I would have loved to buy this, but for now, I’ll settle for the two pairs of earrings she designed that I purchased. Daniela is a native of Trapani, and she takes the salt from the local salt flats and makes “coral”…
Fill My Heart with Wind
This afternoon, on our way back from the ancient Phoenician outpost of Mozia, the salt flats of Marsala and their antique windmills romanced us. See the white mounds on the right? That is sea salt drying before being exported to kitchens around the world.
Le Saline or Saltworks of Trapani and Marsala
The saltworks or “Le Saline” of Trapani and Marsala have been exploited since Phoenician times (c. 800 BC). The shallow salty waters, high temperatures, and arid winds make for excellent conditions for harvesting salt from the sea. For centuries, windmills mechanized the process of cultivating and processing the salt that is exported to kitchens throughout…