FOOD
– Great food, street food, and wine and an appealing way of life.
– many ethnic influences eg. Arab’s have a sweet tooth (desserts)
– often eat dinner late, after 9 pm.
– mild haggling in the markets is fine.
– food available depends on the season. Winter is more limited, best in spring and summer.
– Seafood tends to be better than meat
– GRANITA. Sorbet flavored with fruit, almonds or coffee. They are often eaten at breakfast, with sweet brioche.
– SFINCIUNI. Slightly spicy Sicilian pizza, with anchovies, oregano and breadcrumbs
– ARANCINI. Deep-fried rice balls filled with meat or vegetables or cheese. Bought in market or street stalls.
– CROCCHE – Potato dumplkings made with cheese, parsley and eggs
* PANE E PANELLE. Deep fried chickpea fritters on a sesame roll
– PANI CA’MEUSA. Veal spleen sandwich.
– Quaglie – Eggplant cut to look like feathers, then deep fried.
– PASTA CON LE SARDE (sardines, wild fennel, olive oil, raisins, pine nuts, saffron)
– PASTA ALLA NORMA (sun-dried tomatoes, eggplant, ricotta)
– CANNOLI. Crunchy, rich, ricotta-filled sweet pastries studied with candied fruit and chocolate
– CASSATA. Swettened ricotta, candied fruit, almond paste and sponge cake
– GELATI. Sicilians claim to have invented ice cream.
– FRUITA ALLA MARTORANA. Invented by nuns. Marzipan moulded into convincing recreations of fresh fruit.
Desert wines: Marsala, Moscato, Maluasiay.
Mt. Etna area is famous for its wines and honey.
