The Mediterranean Sea has plenty of breathtaking destinations. Sicily stands out, though, and not only because it’s the largest island in the region. This island has two volcanos, 1,000 km of coastline, and even its own language. Still, Sicilian food and culture are vital for attracting nearly 5 million tourists every year. What else is Sicily famous for? Keep reading to find out.
Eating With Napkins
Sicilian culture has many funny and curious sayings. For instance, when they want to express true joy. The saying comes from the idea that if you really liked the food, you’ll need a napkin to clean the mess.
Sicily is known for food and culture as explained in the Dolceterra.it article, and you’ll have delicious reasons to explore every corner of the island: the “sagre.” The Sagre are traditional events organized locally by each town and village, celebrating their most famous products. Indeed, it’s one of the best ways to explore the richness of Sicilian food. There are also food festivals throughout the year.
Those who love traditional Italian cuisine will find traces of it in Sicilian cuisine. It’s important to note that Sicilians think of themselves as Sicilians, not Italians. So, it shouldn’t be surprising that Sicilian food has its own personality, borrowing many tastes from African and Arabian cuisines. Even pizza is different there: the sfinciuni has a square shape and a thick, focaccia-like base.
Unsurprisingly, it matches perfectly with local wines. Sicily has had a strong winemaking tradition since Ancient Greek times. The Sicilian wine is praised worldwide, and its unique taste benefits greatly from the island’s soil and climate. The abundance of sunlight plays a key role in the ripening of fruits, and so does the volcanic soil.
Sicilian culture is indissociable in many ways, as a curious and unique almond museum shows to its visitors. The Museo della Mandorla Siciliana is dedicated to the Sicilian almond and its importance to the local culture. The Favara mansion was restored to house the museum, which also offers cooking classes for a fee of EUR 100 per person.
What Else Is Sicily Known For?
Sicilian food and culture are vast, but they’re not the only fantastic things about this island. Sicily is the southernmost Italian region, right on the tip of the boot. The place is mostly remembered as the largest Mediterranean island, but in fact, Sicily is bathed by two other seas: the Ionian and Tyrrhenian.
The coastline is full of unique geological formations, like the Turkish Steps, which are close to Agrigento in the southern region. Sicily is also home to Europe’s tallest and most active volcano, Mount Etna. Obviously, the famous volcano became the main attraction of the Etna Food and Wine Tour.
Conclusion
It’s not easy to taste Sicilian food and culture in just one bite. It means you’ll always have a reason to come back, eating with napkins. Indeed, we don’t lack reasons to experience joy on a daily basis while there.
