Have you ever wondered how it would be to travel to Palermo, Messina? Or anywhere else in Sicily? Then you should prepare yourself with a list of dishes you need to try out! Sicilian food is just like in other regions of Italy, different and delicious. So if you are a pasta lover, this island filled with authentic and traditional dishes is for you. Whether you want to wine and dine in a restaurant or explore some delicious street food, the choice is yours.
The Sicilian food culture is influenced by Italian, Greek, Spanish, French, and Arab kitchen. What a big variety of flavors to choose from! Get ready to learn about the variety of pasta this country has. How rich tomato sauce, garlic, and olive oil are a staple in this culture, moreover the best cheese and wine to go with your dish.
We even sneaked in a few sweet treats for those who love to try out new desserts, yet explore some Sicilian traditions. Prepare your taste buds to be amazed by these traditional Sicilian food recommendations which can be found not only in the restaurants but on the streets too!
Pesce spada alla Siciliana
This traditional dish is definitely a go-to if you want to try out something authentic. It is easy to find at any local restaurant around Sicily. If you love swordfish, you will definitely enjoy other types of Pesce Spada too: al Forno, al salmoriglio, or alla Palermitina. You will notice that different regions of Italy have other ways of preparing this seafood.
Pasta ‘ncasciata
The cooked and strained pasta is mixed with rich tomato sauce, cubes of fried eggplant. As for the cheese, mozzarella or caciocavallo is used with some added bechamel sauce (sauce made out of flour, milk, and butter; also known as White Sauce). The Sicilian food is placed in a springform cake tin and sprinkled on top with a generous amount of breadcrumbs before being baked to perfection. For wine lovers, we recommend pairing this dish with a glass of red wine, for example, Nero d’Avola, Frappato.
Caponata di Carciofi
The flavor of the caponata should be sweet and sour. The trick to adjusting the balance of this lays in the red wine vinegar. Served at room temperature Caponata di Carciofi either as an appetizer or side. Although some Sicilians recommend letting it rest in the fridge overnight and serving it the next day. An amazing and colorful vegetarian dish, just like spring!
Cuccidati
Cuccidati brings back the childhood memories of the festive period for Sicilians: a staple sweet treat, which is made in the Sicilian food culture the weekend before Christmas. Sometimes it is made in the shape of a wreath, ribbon, or candy cane. Cuccidati is similar to the English mince pie, which is a staple during the Christmas holidays. Festive period or not, we definitely recommend a Cuccidati whilst you explore Sicily.
Involtini di pesce spada
These swordfish rolls can be prepared either by grilling or pan-frying. When fried to perfection, it is served and paired with a squeeze of lemon juice and olive oil-based salmoriglio sauce. This sauce is typically accompanied by seafood, especially swordfish. It contains olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs.
Spaghetti al Nero di Seppia
Although spaghetti is the traditional way of preparing this dish, other pasta varieties are often used, such as linguine or bigoli. I would recommend giving it a try, even if the sound of cuttlefish and its ink doesn’t sound that tasty. Spaghetti al nero di seppie is both an elegant, yet rustic dish. Therefore it is perfect as a party dish or a more romantic, intimate dinner for two.
Arancini
The fillings of arancini often include meat sauce with peas, dried prosciutto, cheeses such as mozzarella and pecorino. This golden rice ball is a definite staple of the Sicilian food culture, so don’t miss out on it if you have the chance! The traditional arancino comes in two main variants. The first one is perfectly round shaped, filled with a ragu sauce of meat, mozzarella, and peas. The second is called al burro (“with butter”) and has a longer, pear-like shape and it is filled with diced mozzarella, prosciutto, and grated cheese.
Brioche con gelato
Now don’t think of the usual gelato flavors with this brioche. Bourbon vanilla, cream with lemon zest, caramelized fig cream, and plenty of variations on the chocolate theme, such as dark, chili, sour cherry; cherry and cinnamon, and Matcha tea and pumpkin, just to name a few from the daring, not everyday flavors. Fun fact: did you know this street food in Palermo Sicily is a popular breakfast during the hot summer mornings?
Spaghetti ai Ricci di Mare
In case you never tasted sea urchins, do not worry! The small shell will easily open in your hands. It is not hard to get to the orange-colored fruit from the inside. If this caught your attention, then note that sea urchin season is between January and March, therefore this dish is extremely popular between these months.
Cannelloni
The purpose of this ‘tube’ is to be filled with your favorite ingredients, then baked in the oven. A vegetarian example would be spinach and ricotta, but there is a beef version (cannelloni di carne) or chicken, spinach, and ricotta cannelloni (just to name a few of the most commonly prepared dishes). Good news to gluten intolerant people or for those who prefer whole-wheat cannelloni: you can find your version of this pasta and health stores.
10 Best Dishes: Sicilian Food Edition
Sicily might not be an enormous island, but it is definitely rich and big in herbs, seasonings, colors, tastes, and variations for both tourists and Sicilians. Whether your destination is Palermo, Catania, or Messina, dare to dive into the best food in Sicily. Explore these dishes, all the pasta, and cheese possibilities, and don’t forget to enjoy a glass of good wine whilst at it!
