As one of the world's leading almond producers, the delicious nut flavors many Sicilian dishes. From pastas, to fish, salads, and of course desserts, almonds have been worked into various shapes, tastes and uses to flavor local cuisine for centuries. Crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, Pasticcini Siciliana alle Mandorle (or amaretti) are a holiday favorite.
A staple throughout Italy, spezzitano recipes vary depending on who's cooking. Where some use beef, others use veal. While some are purists, many add tomatoes and herbs to add complexity. In northern Italy, spezzitano di manzo is served with polenta, while in the south, it is more typically enjoyed with crusty bread. At the end of the day, a good soffritto, fresh aromatics, and lots of patience, served alongside a beautiful Etna Rosso, will make this dish a family favorite in no time.
Salty, sweet, aromatic, and fresh, pasta con le sarde offers a peek into Sicily's rich cultural heritage. Perhaps the most famous Sicilian anchovy pasta recipe, sardines and anchovies tell the story of the islands maritime significance, bucatini, wild fennel and toasted breadcrumbs not to its agrarian roots, and pine nuts and raisins speak to its trade history with North Africa.
