To capture the full essence of Sicily, you must indulge in its diverse and unique cuisine. Sicilian food is a reflection of the island’s history, being influenced by Greek, Arab, Norman, and other civilizations. With their fertile volcanic soil and surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, Sicilian cuisine encompasses a love affair between the land and the sea.
On this ultimate Sicilian food tour, you will be taken to some of the best restaurants and places to try 12 must-eat dishes in Sicily. From the bustling markets to family-run trattorias, you will discover the vibrant flavors and rich history behind each dish.
The journey starts in Agrigento, where you will experience the regional cuisine at its finest. The video provides a detailed guide on the main ingredients of Sicilian cuisine, which includes locally-sourced produce such as tomatoes, capers, olives, citrus fruits, almonds, pistachios, ricotta, and pecorino cheeses. Along with a generous use of herbs and spices, as well as an abundance of seafood, Sicilian food offers a delectable exploration of flavors.
Some of the mouthwatering dishes featured in the video include Caponata, Pesce Spade a La Siciliana, Gelato con Brioche, Cassata, and many more. Each dish is meticulously explored and presented, allowing viewers to immerse themselves in the culinary delights of Sicily. The video provides an intimate look at the texture, taste, and history behind each dish, offering a genuine and immersive experience.
Throughout the journey, you will witness the unique blend of flavors and influences that make Sicilian cuisine truly exceptional. From the sweet and savory to the tangy and earthy, Sicilian food captures the essence of the Mediterranean in every bite.
With stunning visuals and insightful narration, this video serves as the perfect guide for anyone looking to explore the diverse and unforgettable culinary landscape of Sicily. Whether you are a food enthusiast or simply enjoy immersing yourself in new cultures, this Sicilian food tour will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the rich and vibrant flavors of Sicily.
Watch the video by Tourist to Local
I thought I knew Italian food, and then I came to Sicily. Sure, you can find your pizzas and carbonara pastas, but you’re doing yourself a disservice if you’re not exploring Sicily’s unique regional offerings. Sicily is a crossroads of civilization. Greek, Arab, Norman, and a handful of other civilizations all played a part in
Conquering this island, thus shaping not only Sicily’s history but also its food. Over the past few weeks, we’ve shared our experience traveling around Sicily and living with my family here. And if there’s anything we’ve learned, it’s that Sicilians are serious about
Food. Aided by some of the most fertile volcanic soil in the world and surrounded by water, Sicilian food is a love affair between the land and the sea. From bustling markets to family run tratorrias, we’ll be sharing 12 dishes from around Sicily and where to find them.
Our journey starts in Agrigento, where my family spent some time showing us the best of the best cuisine in this area. But before we head to our first spot, let’s learn about the main players in Sicilian cuisine. As you can imagine, with such fertile land, local
Ingredients make up the majority of the dishes. The Sicilian approach often involves incorporating the rich Mediterranean flavors like tomatoes, capers, olives, and their oil, and a generous use of herbs and spices, including saffron and cinnamon, showcasing the island’s Arab and North
African influences. You can also expect to see plenty of citrus fruits, almonds, pistachios, and ricotta and pecorino cheeses. Oh, and one other important thing: lots and lots of seafood. First things first, of course, we choose an appetizer, and this is the most Sicilian
Appetizer. And this might be our only chance to have some vegetables during this food tour because it’s a pretty carb-packed food tour. So, how do we say provecho bon appetite… “Buon appetito!” Caponata is a riot of textures and tastes. The main character is the fried eggplant,
Supplemented with crunchy celery, briny capers, and olives, all swimming in a tangy tomato sauce. Wow, this is a really interesting texture, especially with those almonds on top, and it almost has a kind of sweet and sour taste. This is something that we don’t have in Mexico.
Swordfish is a kind of fish that needs the cold waters of the Mediterranean. So, if you’re coming over here to Sicily, you really need to have this fish. And we ordered it “Pesca Spade alla Siciliana,” which means the Sicilian way. In Pesca Spade alla Siciliana,
The swordfish is typically sliced into steaks and then grilled or pan-fried to perfection. The magic of this dish lies in its accompanying sauce or dressing. It’s a lively mix of fresh tomatoes, capers for a salty briny kick, and olives, adding a rich earthy depth. Aromatic garlic
And a generous sprinkle of fresh herbs like oregano and parsley are also thrown in the mix, as well as a splash of lemon juice or white wine to add a bright acidic balance. All these elements come together harmoniously, coating the swordfish with a medley of flavors that are tangy,
Sweet, and savory. “Ooh, you need to try it, Juliana, it’s very, very good.” “Hey, I think now would be a great time to show us how you say something’s very, very good in Sicily.” “That’s right. Whenever you really like something in Sicily, the Sicilians do this.” gestures “It means that was very good.”
“Now, who’s ready for dessert? Or should I say, dessert for breakfast? I very much appreciate the fact that they do not look down upon having gelato for breakfast. What a wonderful country this place is. So, we ordered this delicious invention called ‘brioche con gelato.’ It’s
Probably the best ice cream sandwich you’ll ever have. Of course, you choose whatever gelato you want. We got this delicious brioche bread around it, and I swear, I’m not just eating this because it’s socially acceptable. People actually do eat this for breakfast here. So, let’s give it a try.”
“Oh, the gelato, obviously, on its own, stands out. It’s incredible. I could eat gallons of this. But with the bread, that’s soft like fresh-made bread, probably made here today, it’s just the most magnificent invention I’ve ever had.”
“Now we have a ‘cassata Siciliana.’ This is the main dessert over here on the island. There are many desserts, but this one is the main one, and it’s very, very sweet. Normally it’s huge, and you have to share it, but this one is an individual presentation,
So I will not be willing to share, Juliana, sorry about that. Now we’re going to try this one.” “Looking forward to this.” Cassata features a moist sponge cake soaked in fruit juices or liqueurs, layered with a sweet, creamy filling of ricotta cheese, enriched with candied peel and
Chocolate chips. This confection is encased in a vibrant marzipan shell and topped with a smooth, glossy royal icing. “Wow, tastes like Sicily, especially with the pistachio on top.” “Our next dish, we are searching for ‘pane con la milza,’ and we’re taken by Martin’s cousin,
Enrico, to the best spot in town. It’s not for the faint of heart or stomach. This is a sandwich that stares you down and dares you to take a bite. It’s the kind of food that makes you question your life choices, right before you realize you’ve made the best one yet. So,
What’s in this bad boy? Picture this: soft, fluffy bread, innocently sitting there, about to get a wake-up call. Then comes the ‘milza,’ which is spleen and lung, cooked until tender, often in lard. Yeah, you heard that right, spleen and lung. This meaty,
Rich filling is seasoned with salt, maybe a little bit of lemon, and some cheese.” “Now, I know that if I would have looked up what the description of this was before, I would have been too nervous to eat it. Martin swears to me it’s good, and he’s never led me
Astray before. I am a notorious picky eater, but we’re in Sicily, let’s give it a try.” “Oh, this meat melts in your mouth. You barely even need to chew it. The only thing I’m chewing right now is the bread. It’s so soft, so juicy. I get it now, Martin. I get it now.”
“The first time I visited over here, I think it was 2005. I came with my entire family, and my family from here, they brought us over here to this exact place. And I remember,
I didn’t want to try it, but then I tried it, I fell in love. It was love at first bite.” “There’s one more restaurant for us before we continue to our next stop, and that’s to meet up with my friend, Alessandro. We came to try ‘arancini,’ which we’ll get to later,
But he tells us we really ought to try something more local instead, a pastry called ‘Mignolata.’ And this one has mortadello and also olives, so I’m going to like this one.” “So good. On the inside, it’s very, very soft, and the cheese and the olives are so good. I’m loving it.”
“And now it’s time to talk about the one dish that everyone can’t stop talking about at home. This Sicilian staple has traveled the globe. As Alessandro keenly observed, even our cozy Italian eatery back home has joined the bandwagon,
Serving their own spin on this iconic dish. But here’s the thing: ‘arancini’ is more than just a tasty snack. It wouldn’t have existed without the various conquerors of the island. Martin’s aunt, who moved to the island over three decades ago, took a moment to explain this dish further to us.”
“Sicilians love food, so ‘arancini’ is because when Arabs were here, they introduced rice and oranges, ‘arancia.’ So, ‘arancini’ is rice boiled in saffron, compact like oranges. That’s why the name ‘arancini’ means ‘little orange.’ And the filling is whatever you find
In your fridge. In this case, it’s ‘ragù’ with tomato sauce. Tomatoes are from Mexico, and the meat is obviously different. But sometimes, we can use it with fish and eggplant, fry it, or with ham and cheese. It’s like your sandwiches in the United States. For
When we see TV, we eat delicious ‘arancini,’ for whatever. It could be hot or could be cold, delicious. And I know Martin wants to eat it for as many meals as possible, right?” “So far, only four. We got to up that number.”
“Also, it’s a weird thing because it’s ‘arancini’ in the west of Sicily, and it’s ‘arancino’ in the east of Sicily. So, you will find ‘arancini’ or ‘arancino,’ depending on where you ask it. If it’s next to Catania,
It’s masculine, and if it’s next to Palermo or to the west part, it will be feminine.” “This is the star of the show. This is my favorite of all. Juliana, you’re going to love this dish. If you love fried food, um, specifically looking at
Those who are like me and love like those fried macaroni and cheese balls. It’s hard to explain, but the texture is somewhat similar to this one that we have right here. I mean, tons of cheese, ham, crunchy fried outside with rice inside. It’s just the most magnificent invention I’ve
Ever had. And, uh, I’m going to try and fail, probably, at home to recreate this. But let’s give this a try. We’re in Sicily; we’re eating it for practically every meal.” “Yep, so good. Oh my God.” “Alessandro’s place is certainly tasty,
But we wanted to know his opinion on where the best ‘arancini’ can be found.” “So, if you find yourself on that boat, let us know how the ‘arancini’ is. Agrigento has treated us well on this food journey,
And we were able to find a lot of our dishes so far. But it’s time to head east.” “Next up on our list of things to try in Sicily has taken us to a little town called Taormina,
Which you guys may know from the popular show ‘White Lotus.’ This is a cannoli. Sure, you may know a cannoli; you’ve heard of it before. They’re all over the world, but you haven’t had a real
Cannoli if you haven’t had one here in Sicily. This shop that we went to here in Taormina has all different sizes, all different flavors. This is the perfect way to start your day here in Sicily.” “To make it simple, a cannoli is a classic Sicilian sweet treat:
A crunchy fried shell filled with smooth, sweet ricotta. There’s a lot; there’s pistachio, there’s chocolate, and other ones, but get the original one with ricotta, the Sicilian way.” “Wow, that filling, that’s what gets me. And the outside, so crunchy, so, so delicious.” “Our journey continues 45 minutes south to Sicily’s second-largest city,
Catania. And we have one extra special dish we’re looking for here. In case you want to try just a regular pasta dish that includes eggplant and ricotta, you want to try this. You can find it almost in every restaurant in Sicily, but it was born in Catania, and they’re very proud of that.
This restaurant is called ‘La Pentolaccia,’ so we’re going to try this great dish.” “At its base, you have perfectly cooked pasta, usually macaroni-like shapes that hold sauce well. Then comes the star of the show: fried eggplant. These golden, tender slices bring a meaty texture and a deep, almost sweet flavor that’s
Unmistakably Mediterranean. The pasta and eggplant are lovingly coated in rich, vibrant tomato sauce. But what really sets ‘pasta alla Norma’ apart is the finishing touch: ricotta salata. This isn’t your regular creamy ricotta. Ricotta salata is the cheese’s sophisticated cousin. It’s been pressed, salted, and aged until it’s crumbly and delightfully salty.”
“So good. We’re discovering that eggplant is something that you can find in several dishes over here. They make it so good. I never thought I’d like it that much. Eggplant melts in your mouth. So good, and with the ricotta, it’s salty but very nice.”
“And at last, we make our way to Sicily’s largest city, Palermo. There are two dishes we’re on the hunt for now: ‘sfincione’ and ‘panelle.’ Both street food offerings that are best found in Mercato del Capo. A small stall called ‘stanlio e ollio’ has them both.
We’re about to try ‘panelle.’ That is chickpea fritters. So, with the influence of the Arabs, they also brought the chickpea, and it’s very famous over here. You can eat it like that, or you can eat it also in a sandwich that they call ‘panino con panelle.’ So, we’re
Going to try it. It’s going to be good, greasy, simple, with a lot of flavor. It’s for me.” “Now, at this point in the video, you’re wondering how we’ve made it this far in Sicily without showing you any pizza. Well, pizza’s Italian,
But you know what’s Sicilian? ‘Sfincione.’ It’s their take on pizza. Check it out. Super thick bread-like piece, tons of ricotta on top of this one. There are tons of different types you can get. It feels like pizza. You can grab this any time of day, super quick, easy,
Good street food. This Sicilian interpretation of pizza? Domino’s pan pizza could never.” “And no trip to Sicily is complete without one of the most famous desserts: granita. We have shown a couple of desserts in Sicily, but this one is people’s favorite during the summer. Why?
Because it’s very hot. Yes, there are all sorts of flavors. I got orange, you got lemon, but this is the typical one. But then, as you said, there are a couple of flavors. So, cheers to the end
Of our guide. Sure, you might hear tourists or your friends back home call it Italian ice or a slushie, but let’s set the record straight: it’s Granita with a capital G. Granita is like the cool cousin of sorbet, the one who wears sunglasses indoors and somehow gets away with it. It’s a
Semi-frozen dessert, but calling it semi-frozen is like saying the Sistine Chapel has a nice ceiling. Granita is an art form, a perfect balance of iciness and flavor. It’s made with water, sugar, and fresh local ingredients. Think sun-ripened lemons, juicy strawberries, or even almonds.
And here’s the kicker: in Sicily, they often pair it with a brioche. Yep, bread with your ice. But today, we decided to stick with just the granita. “Yours is better.” “Oh, really? See, everybody goes for the lemon, but I think the real hidden gem in Italy is their oranges, or mandarin. That’s
Also been pretty good.” So, that’s 12 dishes you have to try when you visit Sicily. Which one would you try? Don’t forget, this is just one video of our series around Sicily. So, we left this one
For you to watch next. So long, make the world your neighborhood. See you guys next time. Ooh!
Video “Best SICILIAN Food – 12 MUST EAT Foods When You’re in Sicily + Where to Find Them!” was uploaded on 01/28/2024. Watch all the latest Videos by Tourist to Local on Gretopia