Our group had many laughs during a market tour and cooking experience with Smile and Food. Alessia is always entertaining with excellent tips, like how to peel and cut a prickly pear without getting the thorns in your fingers. That afternoon we descended three stories below the street level to the ritual Jewish baths in…
Tag: smile and food
Thank You Alessia! Viva Santa Lucia!
We had a wonderful online celebration for the Feast of Santa Lucia today! Thanks to Alessia Liistro of Smile and Food for teaching us your arancini and cuccìa recipes from your kitchen in Siracusa! Viva Santa Lucia patroness of light, eyes, wheat, grains, and the harvest!
Santa Lucia Answered Their Prayers
Today we’ll make rice balls and cuccìa at noon (eastern time) for Santa Lucia. Details at https://experiencesicily.com/santa-lucia-2020/ In the days leading up to the Feast of Santa Lucia, December 13, many Sicilians refrain from eating pasta and only eat un-ground wheat grain, or “farro,” that is prepared as a dish called cuccìa. Devotees observe this ritual…
They Stabbed Lucia With A Dagger
Please join Experience Sicily online to celebrate the Feast of Santa Lucia this Sunday, Dec. 13 at Noon Eastern. Reserve your spot at https://experiencesicily.com/santa-lucia-2020/ (Story continued from yesterday…) Like Sant’Agata of Catania before her, the maiden Lucia refused to participate in the activities of the brothel to which she was condemned. This of course, angered the…
Celebrate Santa Lucia Online With Us Sunday
Sunday, join us for Santa Lucia! At the dawn of the 4th century, practicing Christianity in the Roman-ruled city of Siracusa was illegal. Already though, inspired by nearby Catania’s Patron Saint, Sant’Agata, who lived just a few decades before (from 231 AD – 251 AD), the young and beautiful Lucia devoted herself to the new…
Start Making Your Cuccìa For Santa Lucia Now
Sunday, Dec. 13 is the Feast of Santa Lucia. For those who wish to make cuccìa (pictured) with Alessia of Smile and Food during our online feast event (Details and registration at https://experiencesicily.com/santa-lucia-2020/ ), you should start planning now. Your farro (wheat berries) need to soak in water for 72 hours (and change the water…
Learn To Make Rice Balls For Santa Lucia
Let’s make arancini next Sunday for Santa Lucia! Although we can’t meet in person to celebrate la Festa di Santa Lucia this year, we can meet online! Together with my friend and colleague in Sicily, Alessia of Smile and Food, we’ll be teaching you how to make rice balls (Arancini) and cuccia (sweet farro traditionally…
Myths & Mysteries of Sicily: Day 3
Live from Sicily! Day 3 of Experience Sicily Myths and Mysteries of Sicily: As Above/So Below. Free time, a visit to the ancient Jewish baths (Mikveh) where we read the Kaddish for those who left this place in 1492 and 1493 during the beginning of the Spanish Inquisition, and then a cooking experience with Alessia…
Calling All Foodies to Sicily
When I say that we want to give you a profound experience in Sicily, I’m serious. Here’s an example: Alessia of Smile & Food, our foodie extraordinaire in Siracusa, gave our group a market tour and then we ate lunch right in the market! Our tasting lunch, called Mare e Monte (meaning Sea and Mountains),…
Smile and Food
Every day that I’m in Sicily is like Christmas, but some days do stand out from others. The day earlier this month that my husband and I spent with Alessia of Smile and Food Sicilian Cooking Class was particularly memorable. Alessia and her son Manfredi met us at the Mercato Antico on Ortigia island. She…