#1 Sicilian Breakfast
Image by Graham Caldow
No prizes for guessing it gets hot in Sicily. A few Sicilians told me that after a sweltering summer night, they want something cold for breakfast. Brioche and Granita. Yes, an ice-cream in a bun!
#2 Arancini / Arancino
Image by Graham Caldow
Arancini is street food that’s a popular lunch staple for Sicilians. In essence they’re rice balls coated with breadcrumbs and deep fried. The filling in the middle comes in an assortment of varieties, like prosciutto and mozzarella, but meat ragù is the most common.
#3 Pasta alla Norma
Image by Graham Caldow
Fried eggplant is not something I’d immediately put in a pasta, but this dish is typically Sicilian from Catania and found across the island. Usually it has a strong, acidic tomato base, with olive oil (of course), garlic, and basil.
#4 Sciabbò
Image by Graham Caldow
Sciabbò is a long pasta with scalloped edges.
#5 Carbonara and Pasta
Image by Graham Caldow
Carbonara is ubiquitous in Sicily, but I’ve included it here to say other types of pasta are available for those not keen on the strong taste of sardines or anchovy. Bacon is replaced in carbonara with a prosciutto, and the pasta is always perfectly cooked – a little al dente.
#6 Risotto
Image by Graham Caldow
#7 Pizza
Image by Graham Caldow
Think of Italy, think of pizza. But Sicily has its own variation, pizza Siciliana, which is often thick-crusted and rectangular. It’s topped with tomatoes, herbs, and onions, yet also has strong flavours from anchovy or cheeses like caciocavallo and toma.
#8 Cannoli
Image by Graham Caldow
If Palermo won the arancini war, Catania won the cannoli war. Though it was close. I went to the best pasticceria (patisseries) in Palermo after I’d been hooked on cannoli, looking for that perfect pistachio ricotta filling.
#9 Sicilian Cassata
Image by Graham Caldow
Cassata is believed to come from Palermo, but it is made and loved all over the island. It tends to be a rounded sponge cake, laced with fruit juices or liqueur and layered with ricotta. It has a shell of marzipan and is decorated with candied fruit.
#10 Gelato
Image by Graham Caldow
Gelato is as common in Italy as pasta, and just as good. Quality, rich, silken textured gelatos will greet you everywhere on Sicily, and the example in the photo only cost €4, and absolute steel.
