“Sicilian cuisine differs from other Italian culinary traditions in that it is considered a way of life,” says Giuseppe Schimmenti. The chef of the ADLER Spa Resort SICILIA takes us on a culinary journey through Sicily. Find out what you must try and how climate change is affecting the food.
This is the first in our Culinary Journey series – each month this year we will introduce you to a new culinary destination.
What are the characteristics of Sicilian cuisine?
Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean and lies at the tip of Italy’s boot. Its cuisine is characterized by fish and seafood, Mediterranean herbs, olive oil and citrus fruits. Some of the things you must try while in Sicily are pasta and sardines.
“Walking through the streets of Palermo, you will quickly realize how much food is at the center of everything: from panelle, arancine and stigghiola to pane e cazzilli, you will find it all. If you stop by someone’s house, you will definitely not leave with an empty stomach. Even nowadays it is still a beloved family tradition to meet at grandmother’s house for Sunday lunch, and it would be unthinkable to say: “I’m not hungry…“.” – Giuseppe Schimmenti
In Sicily, food is closely linked to family
Chef Giuseppe grew up in Sicily. He has fond memories of his childhood, going to his grandparents’ house after school, where his grandfather, a fisherman, would bring home fish every day and his grandmother would serve him fresh pasta made with love and squid ink. These memories of love for food, aromas, scents and flavors of the island are what he wants to pass on to his guests today as executive chef of the ADLER Spa Resort SICILIA.
Sustainable spa resort on a protected beach
ADLER Spa Resort SICILIA is located in the southwest of the island, about 2 hours from Palermo, directly on the coast. Right in front of the WWF protected sandy beach “Riserva Naturale Torre Salsa”, which is cleaned and maintained by the resort. The Green PearlsⓇ Resort is committed to sustainability, focusing on renewable energy, waste reduction, water conservation and local cuisine. To achieve this, the resort has created its own vegetable and fruit gardens, as well as orange and olive groves for the kitchen, and buys fish directly from local fishermen.
12 typical Sicilian dishes you must try
Sicilian street food
#1 Arancine – stuffed, fried rice balls
Arancine are considered the most popular Sicilian street food. Because they are so popular, you can also find them in restaurants as appetizers or, of course, make them at home. The fried rice balls are typically stuffed with minced meat, but nowadays there are many vegetarian and vegan versions, such as with peas or caciocavallo cheese.
#2 Panelle – Deep-fried chickpea dough pockets
The Arabic influence (Sicily was an Islamic emirate from 831 to 1091) can still be seen in many Sicilian dishes. Panelle, for example, are made from chickpea flour. In Palermo, you can find fried pancakes sold on the street and eat them sandwiched with bread.
#3 Stigghiola – Grilled offal
Eating offal has gone out of fashion around the world. But for more sustainable meat consumption, it’s better to use the whole animal, from nose to tail. The offal that ends up on the grill in Sicily is usually lamb, but sometimes goat or chicken. It is wrapped in fennel leaves with onions and herbs and grilled.
Pasta dishes
#4 Maltagliati
Maltagliati means “badly cut” and refers to the rough shape of the pasta. For Giuseppe, the most important part of Sicilian pasta is the flour. He uses an ancient type of wheat for his homemade maltagliati dough, native to the island and ground in a traditional mill. He shared the maltagliati recipe with us on our blog.
#5 Pasta con le Sarde
A popular Sicilian noodle dish is pasta con le sarde, made with tagliatelle cooked with fennel. The sauce contains sardines, anchovies, capers, pine nuts, almonds and raisins – a wonderful combination of Sicilian ingredients.
#6 Tortellini with squid stuffing
Another recipe Giuseppe shared with us are his squid stuffed tortellini. The recipe includes both small Sicilian Seppie squid and black squid and is very popular with guests at the resort’s restaurant.
Fish
#7 Sardines
The small silver fish owes its name to the island of Sardinia, but it is also one of the most popular food fish in Sicily, where it is mainly caught by local fishermen.
Sardines are not currently endangered, but the WWF warns of overfishing in the Mediterranean. According to the chef, sardines are not as plentiful as they used to be and their supply is noticeably depleted. So do not overdo your appetite for sardines.
Sardines are gutted, fried or grilled and then eaten whole (with the skin but without the head).
Desserts
#8 Marzipan (Frutta di Martorana)
Almonds are an integral part of the island and that’s why there are so many almond based desserts. A delicious tradition is Frutta di Martorana – these are colorful fruits made of marzipan. Not only are they delicious, but they look very pretty and make a great souvenir.
#9 Cassata
Of all the famous Sicilian cakes, cassata is the best! It is a layered cake made with green almond paste, ricotta cheese and candied fruit. The classic “man’s cake” was once served on festive occasions in Italy and is now sold in all kinds of variations, including tartlets and even ice cream bombs.
Drinks
#10 Granita
Especially in summer, you can’t miss a glass of granita! It is a type of slush ice or sorbet made from fruit. The classic flavor is lemon, and it is said to have been invented by the Arabs.
#11 Fresh-squeezed orange juice
We have previously blogged about whether orange juice is sustainable, and unfortunately often it isn’t. This is mainly because most of the orange juice on the world market comes from large plantations in Brazil. In Sicily, on the other hand, you can enjoy orange juice with a clear conscience if it comes from the organic oranges at the foot of Mount Etna and is freshly squeezed for you.
#12 Almond Drink
Another must have in Sicily is the almond drink. It is especially refreshing in the summer.
The impact of climate change on Sicilian cuisine
Giuseppe says the effects of climate change are already being felt on the Mediterranean island. He is particularly worried about the blue crab, which is devastating the shellfish population. And the people who “just sweep up everything with their nets”.
If you want to know which fish and seafood species are currently endangered, we recommend the WWF Fish Guide.
Sicilian meal order
In Sicily, a meal always consists of several courses. A typical order is
- Antipasti – When you go to a restaurant, it is customary to order an appetizer such as pickled vegetables or variations of arancini or panelle.
- Primi –Pasta or risotto, for example, is a good first course.
- Secondi – The second course is usually a fish or meat dish. To be honest, vegan options are not that common here yet – but you could also order another primi dish as your main course, or look for something among the “contorno” – the side dishes that are ordered separately.
- Dolci – Of course, dessert is a must and consists of fresh fruit or a sweet dish such as sorbet.
- Espresso -The whole thing is rounded off with a strong coffee.
Sicily is definitely a wonderful place for a pleasure trip and we hope that together with Giuseppe we have whetted your appetite for the island!
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Siamu Messinese. Alora, Pasta Norma was the summer favorite.
Also pesce spada with lemon juice, black pepper and lots of capers.
Also risotto cu scampi or with mushrooms, or peas or ceci, especially in Lent. Also a minced carrot in the pommarolu….always.