4 Views

Sicilian pizza, which is understood on the Island of Sicily as sfincione, may be very well-liked on the streets of Palermo. You’ll find it in bars, sit-down eating places, pizzerias and even road meals stalls. Whereas it may be served as an entrée, small parts of sfincione may even present up on appetizer menus at fine-dining eating places.

One may argue that no Palermo meals tour is full with out sampling sfincione at a few of Sicily’s greatest pizzerias.

What Makes Sicilian Pizza Distinctive?

Sicilian sfincione pizza has a thicker, ethereal, and spongier crust than classical Neapolitan-style pizzas. That is as a result of olive oil used within the dough which supplies it a bread-like texture much like focaccia. But it’s baked at the next temperature than focaccia, which supplies it a crispier backside.

In Palermo, native pizzerias will typically use toppings like anchovies, onions, and pecorino cheese on prime of a mattress of flippantly crushed tomatoes. Then the pizza is baked in a sq. or rectangular form.

Prime Pizzerias in Palermo to Attempt

Palermo has a number of nice pizzerias providing a few of Sicily’s greatest sfinicone and different basic Sicilian-style pizzas.

Mastunicola

Photograph credit score: Mastunicola

Mastunicola Pizzeria is a celebrated Sicilian pizzeria identified for its artisanal method to pizza-making. It’s additionally only a quick stroll from well-liked Palermo points of interest just like the Teatro Massimo and the historic Vucciria Market.

The ambiance at Mastunicola is rustic, with heat, earth-toned décor that creates a welcoming vibe. The wood-fired ovens on the coronary heart of its operation fill the air with the unmistakable aroma of freshly baked pizza dough.

The Sicilian pizza at Mastunicola does a superb job of preserving Sicilian pizza-making traditions whereas additionally embracing trendy culinary innovation. They deal with high-quality, domestically sourced substances, together with freshly milled flours, further virgin olive oil, and seasonal produce. Additionally they use a slow-proofing course of which maximizes the bready taste of the dough.

My favourite is their signature “Mastunicola,” which is harking back to Neapolitan pizza with toppings like ricotta, basil, and a touch of pork lard. But made within the Sicilian fashion.

Mastunicola (€20–30) – Through Venezia, 71, 90133 Palermo PA, Italy – Open day by day from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM.

Archestrato di Gela

Archestrato di Gela is a Sicilian pizzeria that blends custom with innovation. They’re additionally near main cultural landmarks just like the Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo in addition to the bustling Ballarò Market.

The decor at Archestrato di Gela is an inviting combine of recent design and rustic allure. The eating room is warmly lit, with uncovered brick partitions and picket furnishings, which supplies it a comfortable but subtle ambiance. I’m notably impressed by the attentive employees, and the way simply they might help you navigate the menu.

Archestrato di Gela’s menu is based on high quality and inventive pizzas. Their dough is made utilizing conventional strategies to create a crust that’s concurrently crisp and chewy. I’m impressed by their dedication to sourcing their topping substances from native Sicilian farms and markets.

Their signature pizza the “Gela Classica” is made with sun-dried tomatoes, contemporary ricotta, and fragrant Sicilian oregano. Nevertheless, I feel the key gem on their menu is the “Mare Nostrum” topped with domestically caught seafood, and delicately dressed with a drizzle of lemon-infused olive oil.

Archestrato di Gela (€20–30) – Through Emanuele Notarbartolo, 2/F, 90149 Palermo PA, Italy – Open day by day from 7:00 PM to 11:30 PM.

Pizzeria Frida

Photograph credit score: Pizzeria Frida

Pizzeria Frida provides an ingenious tackle conventional Sicilian pizza. You’ll find them within the coronary heart of Palermo, close to points of interest just like the Teatro Massimo and Quattro Canti.

The colourful inside décor is highlighted by vibrant inventive murals, to create a energetic eating ambiance. This mix of a classy setting and heat service makes it a favourite amongst locals and vacationers alike.

One of many issues that units Pizzeria Frida aside is its dedication to utilizing high quality substances in inventive methods. They use a protracted fermentation course of with their dough that provides it an nearly sourdough-like taste. Then gown the pizza with Sicilian tomatoes and artisanal cheese.

I really like their signature “Frida” pizza topped with mozzarella, speck, and smoked provolone. It’s given a light-weight dressing of earthy truffle sauce that melds completely into the opposite toppings.

Pizzeria Frida (€20–30) – Piazza Sant’Onofrio, 37/38, 90134 Palermo PA, Italy – Open Wednesday to Monday from 6:30 PM to 12:30 PM. Closed Tuesday.

Iconic Sicilian Pizza Varieties

Whereas sfincione is the commonest sort of Sicilian pizza you’ll encounter in Palermo, there are a number of iconic Sicilian pizza varieties to contemplate.

Sfincione

That is the quintessential Sicilian pizza. It has a thick, spongy crust topped with tomato sauce, onions, anchovies, and caciocavallo cheese. Then it’s typically given a light-weight dusting of breadcrumbs. It’s an area road meals favourite, however yow will discover it in nearly any pizzeria in Palermo.

Rianata

That is Trapani-style pizza which is thinner and has a heavy garlic and oregano presence. You could be conversant in it from the so-called Sicilian-style frozen pizzas in US grocery shops. In Palermo, it’s usually topped with anchovies and Pecorino cheese.

Focaccia Alla Siciliana

Is extra widespread within the city of Messina however has not too long ago began to point out up proudly in well-liked Palermo’s pizzerias. It’s usually topped with tomatoes, olives, anchovies, and charred endive. ​

Pizzolo

Pizzolo is initially from jap Sicily however nowadays you’re discovering it increasingly more in choose Palermo pizzerias. It’s a stuffed pizza full of native substances like ricotta, sausage, or seasonal greens. It’s then baked till golden​ brown.

Native Insights and Skilled Suggestions for Having fun with Sicilian Pizza

Step one in having fun with an genuine Sicilian pizzeria expertise is to grasp the variations between the various kinds of pizza.

Sfincione is probably the most iconic Sicilian pizza you’ll discover in Palermo. It’s characterised by its thick, ethereal crust and layered with tomato sauce, onions, anchovies, and caciocavallo cheese. Whereas Rianata is extra of an anchovy-rich pizza with a powerful herbaceous presence.  

Locals typically take pleasure in Sicilian pizza as road meals or a fast snack. Typically you’ll see small variations of sfincione on the appetizer menu of fine-dining eating places. But there’s nothing mistaken with having fun with pizza in a conventional Sicilian pizzeria like Pizzeria Frida or Archestrato di Gela.

Sources:

The Spruce Eats. (n.d.). What’s Sicilian pizza?. Retrieved December 3, 2024, from https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-sicilian-pizza-2708787

AllRecipes. (n.d.). What’s Sicilian-style pizza?. Retrieved December 3, 2024, from https://www.allrecipes.com/what-is-sicilian-style-pizza-8642252

Lucca’s Pizzeria. (n.d.). Sicilian vs. Neapolitan pizza. Retrieved December 3, 2024, from https://www.luccaspizzeria.com/weblog/sicilian-vs-neapolitan-pizza/

Fb. (n.d.). Nice Sicily DMC. Retrieved December 3, 2024, from https://www.fb.com/GreatSicilyDMC/

Tripadvisor. (n.d.). Finest pizza eating places in Palermo. Retrieved December 3, 2024, from https://www.tripadvisor.com/Eating places-g187890-c31-Palermo_Province_of_Palermo_Sicily.html

We Are Palermo. (n.d.). Finest pizzerias in Palermo. Retrieved December 3, 2024, from https://wearepalermo.com/information/best-pizzerias-palermo/

Reddit. (n.d.). Finest pizza in Palermo. Retrieved December 3, 2024, from https://www.reddit.com/r/palermo_city/feedback/1el2xbp/best_pizza_in_palermo/

Gambero Rosso Worldwide. (n.d.). One of the best pizzerias in Palermo in response to Gambero Rosso. Retrieved December 3, 2024, from https://www.gamberorossointernational.com/information/en-news-in-evidenza/the-best-pizzerias-in-palermo-according-to-gambero-rosso/

Yelp. (n.d.). Pizza in Palermo. Retrieved December 3, 2024, from https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Pizza&find_loc=Palermo

Genuine Meals Quest. (n.d.). Finest Palermo eating places, Sicily. Retrieved December 3, 2024, from https://authenticfoodquest.com/best-palermo-restaurants-sicily/