Sicily, the island in southern Italy, features cuisine that is not too different from mainland Italian cuisine but with added influences from Greek, Spanish, French, Jewish, Arabic, and North African foods.
Many know Sicily as the home of mafia boss Don Corleone from the famous movie “The Godfather.” The island is also renowned for its beautiful scenery, Mediterranean seaside climate, and abundant natural attractions, along with ancient cultural and architectural sites.
Sicilian cuisine is noted for its intense and distinct flavors, owing to its ancient civilization comprising indigenous people and travelers from various ethnicities. The island is rich in diverse flora, leading to a wide variety of foods.
Examples of this variety include beef, pork, chicken, tuna, seabream, swordfish, squid, octopus, snapper, shrimp, crab, and various shellfish. Vegetables include artichokes, eggplants, tomatoes, bell peppers, potatoes, corn, wheat, almonds, chickpeas, pistachios, cocoa, and spices. Olive oil, garlic, numerous citrus varieties, unique sweets, and wines are also prominent.
To acquaint yourself with Sicilian cuisine, here are some must-try dishes if you visit the island:
Arancini: Fried risotto balls, a popular Sicilian street food found on almost every street. There are both savory and sweet varieties, such as meat with tomato sauce (similar to pasta sauce), minced pork, cheese, and various nuts for savory; and ricotta cheese with cream or dark chocolate for sweet.
Caponata: Sicilian-style ratatouille, a vegetable stew commonly found in European restaurants. The island’s recipe includes pine nuts and raisins sautéed in olive oil, with essential ingredients like eggplants, tomatoes, celery, carrots, and bell peppers. The Palermo version includes octopus pieces and is garnished with pickled capers and olives.
Gambero Rosso (Red Shrimp): Nearly medium-sized shrimp, freshly caught by local fishermen. The traditional way to eat them in western Sicily is simply with a squeeze of lemon, a drizzle of olive oil, and eaten raw.
Pasta alla Norma
Originating from Catania on the eastern side of the island, this dish features hollow pasta (like macaroni) sautéed with tomatoes, eggplants, garlic, and basil, finished with ricotta cheese.
Sarde a beccafico (Stuffed Sardines): Larger than canned sardines, these are stuffed with pine nuts and raisins, sprinkled with breadcrumbs and olive oil, and baked. Originally a humble dish, it became popular with the wealthy, who sometimes stuffed them with small birds called beccafico, resembling bird wings when plated.
Cannoli: Sicily’s famous dessert, tubular pasta filled with various ingredients, available at every bakery. Popular fillings include sponge cake with chocolate, orange with marzipan, or semifreddo, almond parfait with orange zest, and rich ricotta cheese.
If you wish to taste Sicilian cuisine without traveling far, Chef Bruno Ferrari from Volti Tuscan Grill & Bar at Shangri-La Bangkok, is hosting a Sicilian food festival. Experience the sea breeze of the southern islands with a six-course dinner featuring fresh swordfish, rich seafood soup, Pasta alla Norma with eggplant and tomato sauce topped with ricotta cheese, and Sicily’s signature dessert, Cannoli filled with ricotta.
Try Sicilian cuisine now until May 31, 2024. For reservations, call 02 236 7777 or email restaurants.slbk@shangri-la.com.
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