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Sicily’s storied historical past has seen it below the management of Greek, Arab, Norman, and Roman forces, all of which have left their mark on the island’s delicacies, together with Sicilian desserts.
Italy has a status for having a few of the most interesting candy treats on the planet. Nonetheless, as you’ll know should you’ve been on certainly one of my Palermo meals excursions, Sicilians do issues slightly in another way, using elements like citrus fruits and pistachios to create quirky however delectable sweets.
The subsequent time you end up vacationing within the enchanting metropolis of Palermo, you should definitely pattern a few of these mouthwatering Sicilian desserts.
Iconic Sicilian Desserts You Should Attempt
Cannoli
Cannoli are simply probably the most well-known Sicilian desserts. They include sweetened ricotta stuffed inside fried, tube-shaped pastry and are sometimes teamed with toppings like nuts or chocolate chips.
These snacks have a reasonably uncommon backstory. Some say the concubines of an Arab emir crafted them within the ninth century, although they later turned a celebratory deal with ready by nuns a number of centuries later.
The place to Eat It?
Dolce Capo is the go-to spot in Palermo for cannoli, and this pint-sized Mediterranean joint all the time delivers. The traditional cannolo with creamy ricotta, crunchy pastry, and a touch of citrus is a favourite of mine.
Dolce Capo (€) – By way of dei Candelai, 95/97, 90134 Palermo PA, Italy.
Granita con Brioche
What may very well be a greater match for granita, a refreshing, semi-frozen mixture of sugar, water, and fruit, than wealthy, fluffy brioche? These two contrasting elements come collectively to make an iconic Sicilian dessert and breakfast.
There’s some dispute in regards to the origins of this dish, with some attributing the brioche to a chef for a noble household in jap Sicily. Granita seemingly took place because of the Arab invasion within the ninth century, which introduced sugar to the island.
The place to Eat It?
The compact and colourful Le Granite di Nonna Angelina boasts some sensational granita, and the grainy, tart pomegranate selection is top-notch. After every mouthful, I balanced the flavors with a chunk of the buttery brioche.
Le Granite di Nonna Angelina (€) – By way of Vittorio Emanuele, 393, 90134 Palermo PA, Italy.
Cassata
Cassata is a beloved cake constructed from sponge, ricotta, and candied fruits that combines decadent and brilliant flavors.
Like many different Sicilian desserts, cassata is believed to have Arab roots. Lots of the key elements, like sugar and citrus fruits, have been delivered to the island across the ninth century.
The place to Eat It?
I Segreti del Chiostro is a famed pastry store tucked contained in the grounds of a centuries-old monastery. I’ve but to seek out cassata that may prime this place because the light-weight sponge, zesty orange and lemon notes, and thick ricotta come collectively seamlessly.
I Segreti del Chiostro (€) – Piazza Bellini, 33, 90133 Palermo PA, Italy.
Sfincia di San Giuseppe
Sfincia di San Giuseppe is one other Sicilian dessert that makes probably the most of ricotta and fruits, including them to a serving to of deep-fried pastry sprinkled with chocolate chips.
Though there’s no definitive story behind sfincia di San Giuseppe, it was ready in monasteries in Palermo for hundreds of years. It was historically made on Father’s Day, which aligns with the celebration of St. Joseph.
The place to Eat It?
Pasticceria Costa is an old-school, homely bakery that occurs to make some very good sfincia di San Giuseppe. I used to be served an enormous portion, but I managed to complete each chunk of mushy, sugary pastry and barely tangy, cherry-topped ricotta.
Pasticceria Costa (€) – By way of Maqueda, 174, 90133 Palermo PA, Italy.
Pignolata
A Christmas and Carnival traditional, pignolata is a Sicilian dessert consisting of fried dough balls, usually smothered in both chocolate or lemon syrup. In different recipes, they’re drenched in honey and sprinkles.
These pinecone-shaped morsels originated within the metropolis of Messina a number of hundred years in the past when locals used cheap elements to make candy treats.
The place to Eat It?
Certainly one of Palermo’s most esteemed pastry outlets, Pasticceria Cappello, is a fashionable spot residence to some beautiful pignolata. Each bit was agency on the surface with an ethereal interior, and I cherished the distinction between the zingy lemon glaze and opulent chocolate.
Pasticceria Cappello (€) – By way of Colonna Rotta, 68, 90134 Palermo PA, Italy.
Brioche con Gelato
Brioche con gelato is the final word breakfast for these with a candy palate, consisting of velvety ice cream stuffed inside pillowy bread.
It’s not clear when Sicilians started mixing the 2, but it surely’s been a well-liked snack in Palermo for a while now.
The place to Eat It?
The brioche con gelato within the brilliant and buzzing Gelateria Al Cassaro is heavenly. I went for the earthy pistachio gelato, and it melted into the doughy brioche to create a mouthwatering mixture of flavors.
Gelateria Al Cassaro (€) – By way of Vittorio Emanuele, 214, 90133 Palermo PA, Italy.
Paste di Mandorla
Paste di mandorla is Sicily’s reply to cookies, and are constructed from almond flour, floor almond, sugar, and egg whites.
These well-liked treats hail from Palermo’s Martorana convent and, like many Sicilian desserts, made probably the most of meals delivered to the island by the Arabs.
The place to Eat It?
La Dolceria di Santa Caterina is an expansive conventional bakery, and it’s right here that I attempted paste di mandorla for the primary time. They have been barely chewy with an virtually gooey inside bursting with toasted almond notes and a saccharine end.
La Dolceria di Santa Caterina (€) – Piazza Bellini, 90133 Palermo PA, Italy.
Frutta Martorana
Though offered within the form of varied fruits, frutta Martorana are marzipan-based goodies.
They’re one of many many desserts that got here from the Martorana convent, which was recognized for its vibrant fruit timber. Pope Clement V was as a consequence of go to throughout the fall when the timber have been naked, so the nuns improvised and made fruit-shaped snacks as a substitute!
The place to Eat It?
La Martorana is a stylish pastry store that’s only a quick stroll from the convent, so it’s no shock the frutta Martorana are so good right here. Though eye-catching, they’re additionally scrumptious, that includes a mixture of sugary, nutty, and bitter flavors.
La Martorana (€) – By way of Vittorio Emanuele, 194/196, 90133 Palermo PA, Italy.
Cioccolato di Modica
A grainy specialty chocolate from the city of Modica, cioccolato di Modica is a much-loved Sicilian product.
This type of chocolate got here from Spanish influences. The Spaniards impressed locals to make it utilizing simply cocoa beans and sugar, a extra conventional chocolate-making strategy.
The place to Eat It?
Cioccolato di Modica will be tough to come back by exterior of its birthplace in southeastern Sicily, however you’ll generally discover it in choose grocery shops or vacationer outlets.
Sicilian Desserts for Particular Events: Weddings, Festivals, and Celebrations
Sicilian desserts are about extra than simply satisfying a candy tooth. Just about each celebratory occasion or special day has its personal signature deal with. That mentioned, you may nonetheless take pleasure in many of those desserts at any time of yr, however they are typically simpler to seek out throughout the related festivities!
As an illustration, cassata has lengthy been an Easter specialty. Its indulgent flavors and textures have been seen as the right dish with which to interrupt the Lenten quick. Equally, cannoli have been believed to be an emblem of fertility and fortune and, as such, they’re typically key options of Sicilian weddings.
Each at the moment are synonymous with celebrations, and it’s widespread to see both served at any sort of get-together, together with a number of different desserts. Alternatively, some confections, such because the pleasant almond milk pudding generally known as biancomangiare, are extra of an on a regular basis snack.
Conclusion
A few of Sicily’s sweetest creations, like cannoli and granita, are well-known on the worldwide stage. But, these are simply two of the various unbelievable Sicilian desserts on the market that showcase the island’s knack for crafting distinctive confections!
Sources:
Consuming Europe. (n.d.). Palermo meals excursions & experiences. Consuming Europe. https://www.eatingeurope.com/palermo/
I Segreti del Chiostro. (n.d.). I segreti del chiostro – Conventional Sicilian sweets. I Segreti del Chiostro. https://isegretidelchiostro.store/
Pasticceria Costa. (n.d.). Pasticceria Costa – Sicilian pastries and muffins. Pasticceria Costa. https://www.pasticceriacosta.com/
Pasticceria Cappello. (n.d.). Pasticceria Cappello – Conventional Sicilian sweets & muffins. Pasticceria Cappello. https://www.pasticceriacappello.it/
Al Cassaro Gelateria. (n.d.). Al Cassaro Gelateria. Al Cassaro Gelateria. https://www.alcassarogelateria.it/
Monastero Santa Caterina. (n.d.). Dolceria del Monastero Santa Caterina. Monastero Santa Caterina. https://www.monasterosantacaterina.com/dolceria
Tripadvisor. (n.d.). Dolce Capo restaurant overview. Tripadvisor. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187890-d23392045-Critiques-Dolce_Capo-Palermo_Province_of_Palermo_Sicily.html
Tripadvisor. (n.d.). Le Granite Di Nonna Angelina restaurant overview. Tripadvisor. https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g187890-d21257965-Critiques-Le_Granite_Di_Nonna_Angelina-Palermo_Province_of_Palermo_Sicily.html
Tripadvisor. (n.d.). La Martorana restaurant overview. Tripadvisor. https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g187890-d24050262-Critiques-La_Martorana-Palermo_Province_of_Palermo_Sicily.html
