Sicilian cuisine – what must you try on Italy's largest island?
Sicilian cuisine is brimming with fresh fish, seafood, vegetables from around the world, aromatic spices, and, of course, culinary influences from mainland Italy. Therefore, the selection of dishes is truly diverse, and we're sure everyone will find something to their liking.
However, when visiting Italy's largest island, it's worth compiling a list of Sicilian dishes and delicacies you simply must try. What should be on it?
- Fish and seafood are the foundation of Sicilian cuisine. Fish and seafood in all their forms can be found in many dishes and appetizers. Shrimp, tuna, anchovies, swordfish, cuttlefish, squid… all of them are fresh!
- Pasta alla Norma – a classic Catalan dish, although it can be found all over the island. It's pasta combined with eggplant, tomatoes, and smoked feta cheese fried in olive oil. Simple, yet delicious!
- Arancini are a ball or cone of risotto rice with a filling, breaded and deep-fried. The fillings come in various forms, from ground meat and cheese to pistachio pesto and even sweet options.
- Caponata – This Sicilian dish is based on eggplant, accompanied by tomatoes, celery, olives, and capers. The whole dish is drizzled with apple cider vinegar. Caponata can be served both hot and cold.
- Parmigiana di melanzane – the dish can be compared to a layered casserole of eggplant, tomato sauce and various cheeses (pecorino Siciliano, mozzarella, fiordilatte, scamorza and caciocavallo Silano), often additionally enriched with a hard-boiled egg.
- Sfincione – a typical Sicilian pizza with a slightly thicker crust and a rich tomato sauce. It is usually served rectangular and topped with a generous amount of toppings – caciocavallo cheese, onions, anchovies, and olives.
- Granita – a delicately melted, refreshing, yet sweet, fruit sorbet. Interestingly, granita served with brioche, or granita e brioche, is a typical Sicilian breakfast! Break off pieces of bread, dip them in the granita, and eat them – delicious!
- Canollo siciliano – a Sicilian classic! This deep-baked cake, filled with pistachio/chocolate/fluffy ricotta cream and sprinkled with roasted pistachios/candied fruit, can be found in every pastry shop and cafeteria.
Enjoy your meal!
