We’re working hard to publish our Stirring Sicily East itinerary for September 6 to September 14, 2017, our hands-on cooking experience co-hosted by Nino Elia (pictured at the sheep farm we visited… Did I mention fresh ricotta?) and Zest of Lititz, Penn. Like last year’s itinerary, we’ll have three hands-on cooking classes (including Modica chocolate!),…
Tag: sheep
Stirring Sicily, Day 7: Sheep to Me with Love
This morning, we started our final day of Experience Sicily’s Stirring Sicily trip (in cooperation with Zest and GoSicily with help from Gelsomino Imports) with a visit to a sheep farm in Salemi. Five generations have raised sheep here, where they milk the animals and produce DOP status cheeses. They follow strict guidelines and raise…
Thanks for the Milk
This morning, we visited a farm in Salemi in Trapani Province where sheep provided us (little beknownst to them) with fresh ricotta from their milk. There is nothing like warm ricotta right out of the cauldron!
A Flock of Sheep
A flock of sheep enjoys fresh spring grass near Salemi in Trapani Province. The ricotta made from the milk of these sheep will be the freshest and most delicious of the year because of the fresh grass they are eating.
Gazing at Sheep Grazing
Sheep grazing in the spring grass near Salemi in Trapani Province.
Pasture Graze
Flock of sheep grazing near Salemi.
Monreale’s Bagpipe
In Sicilian mountain towns, playing and crafting zampogna, or bagpipes, was a part of life. There aren’t too many zampogna players left–just like there aren’t too many shepherds (the livelihood most closely tied to the mountains and zampogna) either. David Marker, an american of Italian heritage, has made it his mission to keep zampogna alive….
King of the Sheep
In this case, I wish photos had sound. Then, you’d be able to hear the bells of the sheep as they grazed on this lawn. Perhaps the sweetest moment of this spring scene was the sheep dog hanging with his flock. He’s a king among his buddies, no doubt. Photo taken near Salemi in Trapani…
Ricotta is Best during Spring
Sheep’s milk ricotta tastes best during the spring when the sheep graze on young grasses and wild flowers–their milk reflects the freshness of the flora. This is why Sicilians love cannoli during Carnival and cassata cakes at Easter.
Zampogna, the Italian Bagpipe
This fellow is playing a zampogna, an Italian bagpipe. Zampogne (plural for zamponga) are found throughout Italy. Sicily has a strong tradition of exploiting the droning sounds of zampogne—created from air vibrating through either a single or double reed—for its folk music, specifically from mountainous regions where sheep and goat herding are prevalent. The air…