The Tantalising Tastes of Sicily

When you think of a holiday eating your way around a country, Italy will no doubt come to mind! Although you might not know it, the history of food on the island of Sicily is one that is rich, varied and of particular interest. In fact, Mithaecus, a chef around the 5th century BC, is the first to have ever written a cookbook.

One of the very best ways to explore the cuisine of the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea is to rent one of the delightful villas. Sicily boasts a huge array of small village cafes, trattorias and several high-class restaurants to try, so the independence of being able to set your own itinerary is invaluable. By staying in one of the lovely villas, Sicily will open up to a wealth of options – including going out to eat or visiting the markets and local providers and trying to replicate a traditional menu yourself.

Street Foods

Snacks, street foods and other bite-sized goodies are a must-try for foodies. On roadsides and small villages around any of the villas Sicily offers you'll find street vendors and local establishments selling all manner of simple, yet delicious delights. For example, savour the depths of flavour in the Maccu soup, which is made from crushed broad beans with strong overtones of fennel. For a snack on the go, stop by a street vendor and pick up a Sicilian favourite - Arancini. Consisting of stuffed, fried rice balls, Arancini can be filled with just about anything you can think of. Other favourite local snacks are the Pane e Pannelle, which is chickpea fritters served between bread, or the local take on pizza, a deep-dish focaccia with various toppings.

Pastas, cheeses and more

Pastas in Italy are like curry in India – each region has its own varieties and you can get them wherever you go! The Sicilians have been serving pasta for centuries, and many local varieties naturally include the abundantly available seafood, as well as the famous Pasta alla Norma, which is a simple sauce of tomatoes, basil and fried eggplant. There are many different local specialities, including some using sardines and sea urchins. As well as pastas, the region has a host of its own special cheeses, including Caciocavallo, Ragusano and Canestrato. You can finish off a meal in style with some Biscotti Regina, which are hard little biscuits coated with sesame seeds that sit on a tantalise plane between sweet and savoury.

Mains and sweets

The island's seafood is unmatched in its freshness and quality – and the cuisine makes use of them in unusual recipes such as boiled octopus and seared then baked swordfish. With so much access to fresh seafood, it is no wonder it features on almost every menu. There are also many local fish markets where you can purchase fresh catch of the day to take back to cook in your villas – Sicily's seafood has to be tried to be believed.

For desserts, the island has a wealth of wonder for the sweet tooth. The Cassata Siciliana is a sponge cake soaked in liqueur, layered with sweetened ricotta, and wrapped in marzipan - what’s not to love? For a sweet breakfast, try the fried Cannoli, filled with sweetened ricotta and topped with chocolate chips, or the Pignolata, which is made of fried dough pieces, coated in icing. For afters on a hot summer day, dive into the local granite, which is simply ground ice with sugar and fresh fruit - perfect for cooling down or finishing off a meal.

Jonathan Magoni is Senior Manager of Cottages to Castles, a family owned company specialising in high quality holiday villas, apartments and cottages in Italy. For spectacular villas, Sicily is superb. We also offer accommodation in the Italian lakes, ski resorts and city centres. Discover Italy at your own pace and without time restrictions in our hand picked villas and cottages.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.