Viva Santa Lucia! Cuccìa, pictured, is a pudding made from wheat berries (or barley, spelt, or farro) prepared in honor of the Feast of Santa Lucia, December 13. Cuccìa became the traditional dish of the feast because during a famine in the 17th century, Siracusans prayed to Lucia, the patroness of wheat and grain, for…
Tag: siracusa
Lucia Brought Light
The pure and beautiful Lucia was known to enter the dark catacombs of Siracusa, lighting her way with a torch in order to feed less fortunate, early Christians. It was the dawn of the 4th century, and practicing Christianity in the Roman-ruled capital was illegal. Already though, inspired by nearby Catania’s patron saint, Sant’Agata, who…
Rice Balls, Glorious Rice Balls
Before I continue with the significance of the December 13 Feast for Santa Lucia, let’s talk about the really serious stuff! That is, that Palermitani celebrate the Saint by eating arancine. Arancine (as they are known in Palermo, pictured right; Arancini, if you’re from the east side of Sicily, pictured left), are rice balls filled…
Santa Lucia Lunch Sun., Dec. 9 in New York City
In Siracusa, Sicily last spring, I thanked Santa Lucia for guiding me through last winter–a particularly long and arduous one for me. Now, days from the winter solstice, I invite you to join me for our annual Experience Sicily luncheon celebrating the patroness of light, eyes, sight, and wheat on Sunday, Dec. 9 in New…
Wishing You Joy For Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving! Thank you for supporting Experience Sicily and giving me the opportunity to share my passion for life, Sicily, and of course, cannoli with you! May joy greet you and your loved ones today!
Celebrating Sicily’s Martyr, Santa Lucia
All Saints Day is a day to remember all the saints known and unknown. On All Saints Day, November 1, we also remember martyrs, like Santa Lucia of Siracusa, pictured, who adorns the city’s Duomo. Save the Date: Sunday, December 9, we are hosting our annual Festa di Santa Lucia luncheon at Cacio e Vino…
Euripides and Dionysus in Sicily
The ancient Greek god Dionysus is the central character in The Bacchae by Euripides, pictured here from when I saw the play in 2012 in the amphitheater at Siracusa, produced by the National Institute of Ancient Drama (INDA) as part of their annual Greek theater festival. Last week, I saw The Bacchae again at Brooklyn…
Day 3: Stirring Sicily East Live
LIVE Day 3: Experience Sicily’s Stirring Sicily East tour with Zest! (of Lititz, Penn.) and Chef Nino Elia. There are many ways to travel. The first word is to have an open heart. The second, is to travel through a passion you possess. Today, during our cooking and wine tour, led by local mamma Alessia…
Day 1: Stirring Sicily East Live
LIVE Day 1: Experience Sicily’s Stirring Sicily East 2018 with Zest! (Lititz, Penn.) and Chef Nino Elia … Those who took Air Italy to arrive at Catania, Sicily arrived on time and happy. Those who took a German airline with missed connections needed to go shopping due to lost luggage! But in that, there is…
Sing, Sing A Song
I can’t wait to sing with Angelo again … Just a few days to go!