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Happy New Year!
May it be filled with delicious moments and meals
Join us in Sicily for a Taste of the Island
May 20th through 27th, 2025
A huge part of our trip to this gorgeous island will be indulging in the cuisine that has been influenced by every invader in history. Traditional recipes have survived over the centuries. There are an abundance of fruits and vegetables evident since the ancient Greek times. Pomegranates, figs, citrus, almonds, pistachios, pears, apples, wild fennel and capers are all abundant and influence many dishes. When the Arabs came to the island the cuisine really took shape. They brought citrus and eggplant and they are believed to have brought pasta to the island (rather than Marco Polo bringing noodles from China). The Arabs also spiced up the dishes with saffron and sultanas. In fact, the Arabs were so influential that couscous is present on every menu in Western Sicily. Arancini are another staple reflected in their influence (delicious stuffed rice balls). The Saracens also brought sugarcane to the island which helped develop the fantastic sweets created today. Many of the amazing tastes actually came out of poverty and depredation.
Sweets are a highlight in Sicily. Extraordinary pastries are rich in color and elaborately designed. The queen of Sicilian desserts is the cassata and is made with ricotta, sugar, and vanilla,diced chocolate and candied fruits. In Palermo, they describe a women "as lovely as a cassata." Cannoli are a famous pastry around the world, and most delicious stuffed with ricotta from Sicily. Don’t forget the granita, gelato and semifreddo, all treasured any time of year, but especially in the warmer summer days. It is common for Sicilians to have their meal at one restaurant and then go to a pastry shop for dessert while standing at the bar.
Join me to experience the tastes of the island May 20th through 27th, 2025. Please call me with any questions 920-421-0936
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