| Sicily's varied climate produces crops that are | | | | swordfish fillets that are carefully stuffed with |
| intrinsically flavorful, particularly those grown in the | | | | cheese and vegetables. For baked artichokes |
| rich soil fertilized by Mount Etna's eruptions. Due to | | | | stuffed with sausage, sardines, and cheese, try |
| the quality and natural flavor of Sicilian-grown | | | | the carciofi ripieni. Aubergine fried and baked with |
| vegetables, the local cuisine is usually simple so as | | | | mozzarella and tomato sauce is a hot favorite |
| not to overpower the taste buds with a | | | | known as Melanzane alla siciliana. |
| combination of too many strong flavors. | | | | What Italian menu would be complete without |
| Sicilian cooking generally centers around rich red | | | | pasta, though? For spaghetti with aubergines and |
| tomatoes, lentils, meatballs, plenty of fish, olive oil, | | | | tomato sauce, the pasta con la norma is a terrific |
| capers, tuna couscous dishes, and sweet pastries. | | | | choice. The zite al pomodoro e tonno is a flavorful |
| Flavorful Sicilian cheeses are also used in many | | | | concoction of short pasta tubes with tomato and |
| dishes. Ricotta is a local favorite for quite a few | | | | tuna sauce. |
| recipes. Marsala wine is also used in many dishes | | | | And for the sweet tooth, fried sweet ravioli |
| to enhance the flavor of the ingredients and a | | | | stuffed with ricotta and cinnamon (or fravioli di |
| glass of Sicilian wine makes a terrific | | | | Carnevale) makes a great end to any meal. The |
| accompaniment to many Sicilian dishes. | | | | pignolata, which is a serving of sweet fried |
| One of the most popular Sicilian dishes is the | | | | dumplings that are sometimes coated with |
| caponata. This is a traditional antipasto with | | | | chocolate, shaped in a mound or cone and held |
| ingredients that can include aubergines, tomatoes, | | | | together by caramelized sugar and liqueur, is also |
| celery, olives, and capers. The evolution of the | | | | a wonderful treat. Or if you prefer simplicity, |
| dish allows for some variation, and thus, some | | | | scorzette di arance candite is a simple version of |
| caponatas include artichokes or chocolate. | | | | candied orange peels. |
| Sicilian Specialities | | | | When visiting Sicily, one cannot miss the chance |
| To start, try the peperonata-bell peppers stewed | | | | to experience authentic Sicilian cuisine at a Sicilian |
| with onions, tomatoes, and olives and served cold. | | | | family-run restaurant or tavern. The pursuit of |
| Agghiotta di pesce spada is a dish combining | | | | authentic fare often leads one to follow the locals |
| swordfish with tomatoes, pine nuts, raisins, olives, | | | | as the best restaurants are often the least |
| and herbs. In arancini di riso, rice is combined with | | | | advertised. |
| cheese, peas, chopped meat, and tomatoes and | | | | Finish off a grand meal with a sumptuous cassata |
| fried in the form of meatballs. The braccioli di | | | | for dessert and a hot cup of silky espresso, the |
| pesce spada is a wonderful offering of grilled | | | | way only an Italian can make it. |