5 Secrets to Have You Cooking Like a Sicilian
Authentic Sicilian cuisine is renowned all over the world. Staying in one of the excellent villas in Sicily is the best way to immerse in the true 'foodie' experience, but from New York to London, and even in Southeast Asia, you will find places that serve Sicilian pizzas, pastas and other delicacies from the Italian island.
Once you've tasted the authentic versions of such dishes while staying in one of the villas in Sicily, in the bistros, restaurants and even street stalls, chances are you’ll want to replicate it at home. While you’ll find many recipes available in cookbooks and online, here are five secrets to getting as close to the authentic Sicilian dishes as possible.
Secret 1: Find a Nonna
Behind most (if not all) of those wonderful family restaurants and cafes is the matriarch - a 'nonna'. Sicilians are sticklers for tradition, particularly with their food and grandmothers' secret family recipes are handed down through generations so they still taste the same as when their ancestors first made them. While you may not be able to adopt your very own nonna while on a holiday in one of the villas in Sicily, what we mean by this is to interact with the locals and don’t be afraid to accept invitations to dine in private homes. Many of these lovely old ladies of the island will be only too pleased to share some of their secrets with you.
Secret 2: Know the Geography and the Produce
The key to cooking authentic Sicilian cuisine is seasonal, local ingredients. Being an island, of course, this means lots of fresh seafood like swordfish, sardines and tuna. Tomatoes, olives, capers as well as lemons and other citrus are also mainstays along with rice and wheat – in the form of pasta – from the Sicilian plains. Nuts, including pistachios, almonds and walnuts, along with local honey are all used prolifically for desserts. Sheep farming is also a predominant feature of the island agriculture, so cheeses like Pecorino, made from sheep’s milk, as well as mutton and lamb are common ingredients.
Secret 3: Know the Island History
If you know anything about the various influences of the island’s multifaceted culture, you’re well on your way to becoming a better Sicilian cook! The island was first populated by Phoenicians and Greeks, followed by Middle Eastern peoples during the Arab conquest. This is why you'll most likely encounter a dish called cuscus, which is as close to the Middle Eastern couscous as you can get. Rounding up the cultural influences are the French, Spanish and North Africans, who helped define the rich cuisine we know today.
Secret 4: Know Your Local Herbs and Spices
If you’ve attempted Italian cookery you’ll know that herbs are a mainstay of their dishes - namely rosemary, sage, thyme and, of course, basil and oregano. If you want your dishes to be particularly Sicilian, you’ll need to spice them up even further with the spices of the Middle East and Africa, like cinnamon, fennel and saffron.
Secret 5: Know Your Wines and Liqueurs
Marsala, Malvasia and Nero d’Avola are just a few of the wines you may sample while staying in the villas in Sicily. Along with Limoncello, Grappa, Amande and Amaretto, they form the basis of a delightful range of wines and spirits just perfect to serve alongside the authentic Sicilian cuisine.
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 in Sicily or accommodation in the Italian lakes, ski resorts or city centres, we offer only the very best. Discover Italy at your own pace and without time restrictions in our hand picked villas and cottages.