At the Table

After visiting Sicily you will certainly adore Sicilian cuisine! Here you'll find some Sicilian dishes. Why not try to recreate them at home. Your family and friends will be delighted!

Starters

Start your meal off in the right way, with a delicious Sicilian starter, full of simple, yet deep flavours.

Alici Marinate

Fantastic and full of flavour. Enjoy the taste of fresh anchovies marinated in lemon juice and oil. This is a light starter that really shows off Sicily’s simple, fresh and delicious style of eating.

Caponata

A vegetable stew made with aubergines, celery, olives, capers and tomatoes. This is one of Sicily’s most beloved starters. Served warm, or cold, all you need is a bit of good bread for an amazing start to your meal.

Polpette di Melanzane

Delicious aubergine balls, cooked in a tomato sauce make a tempting start to lunch or dinner. Made with simple ingredients, these polpette will satisfy even the fussiest of eaters!

Carciofi Ripieni

Feast on stuffed artichokes for a real taste of Sicily. This starter is loved by all in Sicily and is the perfect way to begin a typical countryside meal. Made with simple, fresh ingredients, this is a surprising treat!

Essential Ingredients

These items will always be found in a Sicilian kitchen – make sure you have them to make your food even more authentically Sicilian!

Olive Oil

Sicily produces some superb olive oil, especially from the southern part of the island. Good extra virgin olive oil must always be in your kitchen!

Sicilian Salt

Salt is produced in Sicily – on the west coast between Trapani and Marsala. Keep Sicilian salt in your kitchen for an extra bit of flavour.

Bronte Pistachios

The “green gold” of Sicily is used in so many Sicilian recipes – both savoury and sweet! Sprinkle over pasta or on cakes!

Tomatoes

Good tomatoes are vital in the kitchen, as any Sicilian can tell you. A good tomato means you can make a simple dish delicious!

Olives

It always pays to have good olives in the cupboard, just incase any guests come for an impromptu aperitivo, or to throw into pasta sauces to add depth and flavour!

Pasta

Pasta is Sicily's lifeblood, and you are bound to eat some fantastic plates here. Here are some firm favourites!

Pasta con Gamberetti e Pesto al Pistacchio

A pesto made of Sicily’s “green gold” with prawns is something really special. For a luxurious plate of pasta you really can’t do much better than this. Enjoy a flavour like you have never experienced before!

Pasta con le Sarde

Sardines are incredibly popular in Sicily and this pasta dish really shows them off at their best! The sauce is made with wild fennel, sardines, raisins and pine nuts. Ideal with a crisp glass of white wine and good friends!

Linguine ai Ricci di Mare

A real taste of the sea! This linguine is served with a sauce made from sea urchins and tomatoes. Bursting with flavour, this is high on the list of special meals to be enjoyed by the sea, with the sound of waves accompanying you.

Pasta alla Norma

Pasta alla Norma is one if the most classic dishes in Sicily! Fried aubergines, a tomato sauce and salted ricotta come together to make this simple but utterly delicious meal. Named after a Bellini opera, this is 100% Sicilian!

Pesto Trapanese

Pesto Trapanese is a delectable sauce made from fresh tomatoes, almonds and garlic which creates a memorable plate of pasta beloved by all.

Anelletti al Forno

A Sicilian tradition, this baked pasta often comes out at family events. Anelletti are pasta rings, baked in the oven with a rich ragù sauce, ham, cheese and topped with béchamel. It is comfort food at its finest!

Food Proverbs

The Sicilian language is full of food-based proverbs, showing just how important food is to the locals!

A pignata taliata un vugghi mai

A watched pot never boils

Cu spaitti avi a megghiu parti

He who cuts gets the biggest piece

Cu mancia fa muddichi

He who eats, makes crumbs

Megghiu l'ova oggi ca a addina dumani

Better an egg today than a hen tomorrow

Meat & Fish

Fresh fish is the name of the game in Sicily, but the mountainous regions also produce exceptional meats. Get a taste of Sicily here!

Sarde a beccafico

Sardines are a Sicilian staple! Whole sardines are stuffed with traditional Sicilian fillings such as garlic, parsley and pine nuts and baked in the oven until they are perfect. This is a great way to enjoy one of the island’s favourite fish!

Agnello al Forno

Traditionally eaten at Easter, roast lamb is a tradition that is worth visiting Sicily for! Succulent meat with hints of lemon and garlic will make your mouth water, and the roast potatoes that go with it are a real treat!

Involtini di Pesce Spada

Swordfish rolls stuffed with breadcrumbs, cheese, pine nuts, raisins and spices are a go-to secondo for many here in Sicily. The flavourful filling goes perfectly with the meaty fish creating a satisfying meal for all!

Fritto Misto

There’s nothing better than a big plate of fritto mist - fried prawns, calamari, and small fish - for lunch by the sea! For a relaxed lunch during a day by the beach this is a great choice. With a beer under the sunshine you can’t go wrong!

Food Curiosities

Sicily is rich in culinary history: every recipe has a story! Here are a few interesting facts about Sicily’s gastronomy.

Aubergines & Toasted Breadcrumbs

You'll often see aubergines and toasted breadcrumbs in Sicilian food. They are originally substitutes for meat and cheese.

Gelato & Granita

It is said that granita and gelato were first created in Sicily when the island was under the rule of the Arabs.

Spaghetti

Some say that spaghetti was invented in Sicily. There is mention of a pasta-like food in The Book of Roger, published in 1154.

Street Food

Sicily is famous for its street food – indeed it was voted as one of the world's best street food cities by Forbes Magazine.

Desserts & Sweets

Desserts are a highlight for many at a Sicilian table. Vibrant citrus flavours or rich and creamy ricotta await you. Make sure you save some space!

Cassata Siciliana

For a special occasion you will almost always see a cassata siciliana! This eye-catching cake combines sponge, ricotta, chocolate, marzipan and fruit and is a decadent end to any meal! Beautiful and delicious!

Granita al Limone

Lemon granita is the perfect way to cool off on a hot day and is a great palate cleanser after a good meal. The fresh, zingy flavour of the lemons combined with the cool ice makes granita beloved by all in the summer.

Biancomangiare

This delicate dessert is made with milk and is often flavoured with almonds. A simple dessert, similar to a panna cotta, Biancomangiare is ideal after a great lunch. Simple, unfussy and 100% tasty!

Gelo di Melone

Watermelon is a firm favourite in Sicily, and gelo di melone - a sort of pudding - is a refreshing and tasty way to enjoy the flavour at the table. Refreshing, delicious and wonderfully wobbly, this should not be missed!

Cannoli

Completely iconic, cannoli are an absolute treat! The crunch pastry filled with creamy ricotta is the stuff dreams are made of! Try the classic, with simple ricotta and chocolate drops, or be adventurous and try a pistachio one! Either way, you won’t regret it!

Pasticceria Siciliana

Almond biscuits and cakes are a Sicilian tradition that is well worth keeping! These bite-sized morsels will leave your mouth watering and are ideal with a good, strong Sicilian coffee.

Rame di Napoli

These moreish biscuits are traditionally eaten on 2nd November in Catania. A soft chocolate biscuit is covered in a dark chocolate glaze and sprinkled with pistachio pieces. They’re tasty treats that everyone will love!

North Sicily

West Sicily

East Sicily

South Sicily

Discover Sicily

Travel to Sicily

Sicily

Puglia