Italian Food

Fruit and Vegetables
The Sicilians are passionate about eating their locally grown food and much pride is taken in fruit and vegetables that are from the surrounding region. You will see fresh fruit and vegetables being sold very cheaply at the side of the roads by locals sitting beneath their umbrellas. Mushrooms such as porcinis are a speciality and are very prized when the mushroom season begins. Aubergines are bright purple and the watermelons often will roll across the street away from their watermelon mountain by the side of the road! Lemons and oranges grow everywhere and are left to fall on the floor. Many towns have the trees lining their main shopping streets. Grapes are grown on the slopes of Mount Etna and can be seen ripening in the hot Sicilian sun.

Fresh Fish
Caught off the Sicilian coast, fresh fish is sold in open fronted shops and markets. As the sun begins to set you can see the fishermen in their small brightly painted blue boats just off the shore. Swordfish is extremely popular in the towns along the East coast and you will see the head of a swordfish outside the fish shop (usually on a chair!) advertising that it is available.

Pizza
Pizzas are absolutely delicious and available everywhere! They are especially cheap if bought from a take away; about 3 Euros for a basic pizza. They are usually cooked in a wood fired oven and there are many different types to choose from. Pizzas are only usually available at night, but during the day little pizzas are available. The Sicilians like to have pasta and meat at lunch and pizza at night.

Pasta
Pasta is a passion and the Sicilians really enjoy their many varieties of sauces and types of pasta. There are many local restaurants offering Sicilian cuisine and it is well worth trying one of these. Prices vary but they can be very reasonable away from the tourist resorts. Macaroni is popular as is Pasta alla Norma; tomato sauce flavoured with garlic and basil. Pasta can be bought as a take away from shops advertising chicken (pollo) and pasta al forno.

Meat
After a pasta dish usually there is a meat and salad or vegetable dish. Chicken, veal, pork and lamb are cooked in various ways often grilled or barbecued using herbs and lots of local olive oil.

Restaurants
As you are browsing through the towns of Sicily you may notice us recommending our favourite restaurants from time to time. Keep your eyes peeled!

If you have any queries, our FAQ page may have the answer that you are looking for. We also welcome you to send us an email, or if you prefer, you can give us a call. All our contact information is available on our contact us page.