Unmissable food and wine regions of Sicily
Sicily is renowned for its diverse and delicious cuisine, influenced by its rich history and geographical location. We have designed our Sicilian Food Odyssey tour to visit the regions that stand out for both their food and wine offerings in Sicily. Here are some of the culinary highlights you can look forward to on this gastronomic adventure:
Southeastern Sicily
A visit to the towns of Ragusa and Modica will unveil stunning Baroque architecture, unique chocolate-making traditions, and the robust flavours of Nero d’Avola red wines. A tour of a chocolate factory in Modica will teach you more about the methods used to produce this specialty and (most importantly) sample the unique style of chocolate known for its grainy texture and aromatic flavour.
Marsala, Trapani and surrounding area
Marsala, a fortified wine, hails from this region and you’ll enjoy sampling the different varieties at a wine-paired lunch during your visit. Nearby, Trapani is famous for its salt flats and the production of high-quality sea salt, and the region is also known for its fresh seafood, olive oil and vegetables. Visit Erice to sample pastries when you visit a famous Pasticceria and discover some of the secrets of Sicilian marzipan and almond paste.
Palermo
Palermo is famous for its vibrant street food scene and fresh produce markets. While you are here be sure to sample the region’s iconic panelle (chickpea fritters) and arancini (rice balls). A morning visit to the Ballarò street market gives you the chance to immerse yourself in the colours, smells, and flavours, reminiscent of an Arab bazaar.
Etna Region
The volcanic soil around Mount Etna, full of nutrients and minerals is perfect for producing unique and high-quality wines from vines grown on its slopes. Look out for reds made from the Nerello Mascalese grape. Other local culinary specialties include pasta all norma (made with eggplant) and ricotta salata. And don’t miss out on the pistachios from Bronte – the world-famous capital of pistachios, a beautiful town on the flank of Mount Etna.
Aeolian Islands
Salina Island and Stromboli are part of the Aeolian archipelago – a gastronomic haven off Sicily’s north coast. Fresh seafood takes centre stage on these islands with dishes like caponata di pesce. Salina is renowned for its capers and Malvasia wine – a sweet wine cultivated on the island. In Stromboli, savour the local gastronomy amidst stunning views of the island’s active volcano, which has been in almost continuous eruption for the past 2000 years!
