The snails used to make Babbaluce, the traditional food for Il Festino in Palermo, are actually land snails. During this time of year you can see them all over Sicily on fences, logs, rocks, and more. Once collected (by hand!) and cleaned, they are steamed and tossed with garlic, olive oil, salt, and fresh Italian…
Tag: snails
Palermitani Line Up on Il Festino
On the day of the Feast of Santa Rosalia, July 15, Palermitani line up to get their babbaluce. And if you are nice to the vendor–who is often at his special babbaluce stand right on the street–he might agree to let you take his picture!
Babbaluce Sounds Like a Song, But It’s…
“Babbaluce Belle Pronte” is music to the ears of revelers of the Feast of Santa Rosalia. (Beautiful and Ready to Eat Snails!) For Il Festino, which takes place annually on July 14 and 15, enjoying steamed snails tossed with garlic, olive oil, and fresh Italian parsley is a must.