| Sicily is a melting pot of cultures and various | | | | very Sicilian although probably not something |
| groups established themselves on this small island | | | | many tourists would be brave enough to order. |
| over the past two thousand years. Sicilian cuisine | | | | A lot of people think of pasta and pizza when |
| is mainly Italian but there are also recognizable | | | | considering Italian recipes and recipes from Sicily |
| Greek, Arab and Spanish influences in a lot of the | | | | and sfincione is a local pizza, which is made with |
| typical dishes. Dionysus from ancient Greece is | | | | onions and tomatoes. Some sfincione recipes also |
| believed to have introduced wine to the area and | | | | feature anchovies. This pizza is prepared on a |
| the ancient Romans brought elaborate goose | | | | thick bread, which is actually more like bread than |
| recipes. | | | | the typically thin and crispy pizza crust favored in |
| North African influences are obvious in the Trapani | | | | other Italian regions. This can be enjoyed as an |
| region, which is in the west, especially with regard | | | | appetizer or snack. |
| to the use of couscous and fish dishes. The Arabs | | | | Panella is a thin paste made with powdered or |
| introduced sugar, citrus, rice, apricots, black | | | | crushed garbanzo beans. This paste is fried and |
| pepper, cinnamon, cloves, raisins, nutmeg, saffron | | | | served hot. Another use for garbanzo beans is |
| and melons and the Byzantines enjoyed sour and | | | | maccu, which is a tasty, creamy soup recipe. |
| sweet flavors in their foods. The Normans liked | | | | Crocche are fried potato dumplings made of eggs, |
| meats and the Spanish brought maize, turkey, | | | | cheese, and parsley. Caponata is an eggplant, |
| tomatoes, chocolate, and other foods from the | | | | caper, celery and olive salad and this is a really |
| New World. | | | | popular appetizer recipe. You can also get |
| Typical Dishes from Sicily | | | | artichoke caponata. |
| Famous Sicilian recipes include caponata, pani ca | | | | Mouthwatering Sicilian Desserts |
| meusa, cheese, or meat-stuffed fried rice balls | | | | If you have a sweet tooth, you will love Sicily's |
| known as arancini, and Pasta alla Norma. A lot of | | | | dessert recipes. Cassata is a sweet, rich cake |
| local recipes are rich in fresh fish like sea bream, | | | | filled with a sweet ricotta filling. Cannolis are tubular |
| tuna, swordfish, cuttlefish, sea bass, and fresh | | | | crusts filled with the same filling. Italian ricotta |
| vegetables like bell peppers, tomatoes, and | | | | cheese is made with sheep's milk so it might |
| eggplant. Red snapper is prepared in a sugary | | | | taste a little different to the ricotta you know. |
| vinegar sauce and grilled swordfish features on | | | | Sicilian ice cream is known as gelato and this ice |
| many restaurant menus. Cuttlefish is served in its | | | | cream is believed to have been invented in |
| own black ink with pasta. Sardines with fennel is a | | | | Roman times when runners would bring snow |
| well loved dish. | | | | from Mount Etna to be flavored and served to |
| As well as fish, the locals appreciate good meat | | | | the wealthy. This ice cream comes in many |
| dishes. Goat and lamb are especially well loved. | | | | flavors including strawberry, rum, jasmine, and |
| Veal marsala is a popular recipe outside the island | | | | hazelnut. Granita is a crushed ice dessert flavored |
| and in fact, this dish enjoys global fame. Chicken | | | | with strawberries or lemon juice. |
| alla marsala is similar. Veal spleen sandwiches are | | | | |