The Food of Sicily

"From Chickpea Fritters (Panelle) to Pasta with Eggplant and Tomatoes (Pasta alla Norma) to Fennel-Orange Salad with Black Olives (Insalata Finocchio e d'Arancia con Olive), Sicily boasts a culinary identity marked by dishes as storied and diverse as the island's landscape. With its craggy mountain ranges, dense forests, foggy valleys, and turquoise coastlines all in one 9,927-square-mile island and a cultural background layered with influences from the Greeks, Arabs, and Romans, among others, it's no wonder the cuisine of Sicily is as diverse. No matter the dish or its background, respect for the island's ingredients always shines through. In the Food of Sicily, author and cooking school owner Fabrizia Lanza shares the rich traditions of Sicily with 75 time-honored recipes from across the island. Grilled Squid with Salmoriglio Sauce (Calamari alla Griglia con Salmoriglio) reflects the island's coastal culture, Roast Pork with Mint and Garlic (Arista di Maiale) is hearty mountain food, holidays are represented with a Sicilian Cake with Ricotta Cheese and Marzipan (Cassata) enjoyed for Easter and the Christmas pastry known as Sfoglio di Natale di Ragusa. There are classic recipes, such as cannoli and sfincione (Palermitan pizza) alongside modern adaptations such as zucchini carpaccio and mackerel confit. With headnotes that give cultural and historical context, illuminating sidebars, ingredient profiles, and sweeping landscape photographs, The Food of Sicily will transport readers directly to the island"--]cProvided by publisher.

Introduction
 
Starters | Antipasti
Chickpea Fritters (Panelle)
Deep-Fried Rice Balls (Arancine)
Ricotta Fritters (Ricotta Fritta)
Fried Seafood (Fritto Misto di Pesce)
Mussel Gratin (Gratin di Cozze)
Octopus Salad (Insalata di Polipo)
Citrus-Marinated Sardines (Sarde Marinate)
Sautéed Black Olives (Olive Nere Saltate)
Green Olive Salad (Insalata di Olive Verdi)
Artichokes Preserved in Oil (Carciofi Sott’Olio)
 
Soups | Minestre
Fava Bean Soup with Poached Eggs (Macco di Fave con Uova in Camicia)
Chickpea Soup with Tuma Cheese (Minestra di Ceci)
Lentil Soup (Minestra di Lenticchie)
Escarole Soup (Minestra di Scarola)
Tenerumi Soup (Minestra di Tenerumi e Cucuzze)
Fish Soup with Steamed Couscous (Zuppa di Pesce con Cùscus)
 
Pasta and Rice | Pasta e Riso
Pasta with Eggplant and Tomatoes (Pasta alla Norma)       
Penne with Fresh Tomatoes and Basil (Penne Picchio Pacchio)
Everyday Tomato Sauce (Salsa Pronta)
Pasta with Trapanese Pesto (Paccheri con Pesto Trapanese)
Busiate with Bottarga (Busiate con Bottarga)
Fresh Busiate Pasta (Busiate)
Fresh Cavatelli (Cavatelli)
Bucatini with Sardines and Wild Fennel (Bucatini con le Sarde e Finocchietto Selvatico)
Bucatini with Cauliflower, Pine Nuts, and Raisins (Bucatini con Broccolo Arriminato)
Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli (Pasta con Salsiccia e Sparacelli)
Spaghetti with Anchovies and Toasted Bread Crumbs (Pasta con Acciuga e Mollica)
Ravioli Filled with Ricotta and Mint (Ravioli Ricotta e Menta)
Anelletti Timballo (Timballo di Anelletti)
Borage Risotto (Risotto di Borragine)
Citrus Risotto (Risotto Agli Agrumi)
 
Fish | Pesce
Sardines Stuffed with Bread Crumbs and Raisins (Sarde a Beccafico)
Mackerel Dumplings in Tomato Sauce (Polpettine di Sgombro al Sugo)
Mackerel Confit (Confit di Sgombro)
Grilled Squid with Salmoriglio Sauce (Calamari alla Griglia con Salmoriglio)
Breaded Swordfish (Pesce Spada Impanato)
Swordfish Stuffed with Garlic and Mint (Ruota di Pesce Spada in Padella)
Double-Crust Swordfish Pie (Impanata di Pesce Spada)
Tuna Ragù (Tonna Ammuttunatu)
Salt Cod Salad (Insalata di Baccalà)
 
Meat | Carne
Roast Chicken with Oranges (Pollo all’Arancia)
Braised Rabbit with Black Olives and Rosemary (Coniglio alle Olive Nere e Rosmarino)
Stewed Lamb with Fresh Mint and Saffron Potatoes (Spezzatino di Agnello alla Menta ePatate allo Zafferano)
Lamb-Stuffed Pastry (Impanata di Agnello)
Roast Pork with Mint and Garlic (Arista di Maiale)
Grilled Sausage with Bay Leaves and Onions (Salsiccia con Alloro e Cipolla)
Meat Roll-Ups (Involtini di Carne)
Sicilian Meatloaf (Polpettone)

Vegetables | Verdure
Fennel-Orange Salad with Black Olives (Insalata Finocchio e d’Arancia con Olive)
Tomato Purslane Salad (Insalata Pomodoro e Porcellana)
Zucchini Carpaccio (Carpaccio di Zucchine)
Potato Salad with Capers, Green Beans, and Red Onion (Insalata Capperi, Patate, e Cipolla Rossa)
Honey-Roasted Fennel and Cardoons (Finocchi e Cardi al Miele)
Stuffed Artichokes (Carciofi alla Frocia)
Green Beans with Anchovies and Bread Crumbs (Fagiolini Ripassati)
Eggplant Caponata (Caponata di Melanzane)
Baked Eggplant (Melanzane al Forno)
Baked Cauliflower with Black Olives and Cheese (Cavolfiore con Olive Nere e Formaggio)
Spinach Flan (Flan di Spinaci)
 
Pizza and Bread | Pizza e Pane
Fried Calzone (Calzone Fritto)
Scaccia from Ragusa with Tomatoes and Basil (Scaccia Ragusana con Pomodori e Basilico)
Stuffed Pizza from Modica with Greens and Cheese (Impanata di Modica con Cicorie e Formaggio)
Palermitan Pizza (Sfincione)
Focaccia with Black Olives and Rosemary (Focaccia con Olive Nere e Rosmarino)
Focaccia from Messina with Escarole and Tomatoes (Focaccia Messinese con Scarola e Pomodori)
Christmas Sfoglio from Ragusa (Sfoglio di Natale di Ragusa)
 
Desserts | Dolci
Watermelon Pudding (Gelo di Mellone)
Almond Granita (Granita alle Mandorle)
Lemon Granita (Granita di Limone)
Quince Poached in Red Wine (Melecotogne al Vino)
Fried Dough Balls with Honey (Pignoccata)
Rolled Fig Cookies (Buccellati)
Ricotta-Filled Turnovers (Cassatelle di Ricotta)
Knotted Lemon Cookies (Taralli)
Queen’s Cookies (Biscotti Regina)
Cannoli with Ricotta Cream (Cannoli con Crema di Ricotta)
Fried Puffs of Saint Joseph (Sfince de San Giuseppe)
Sicilian Cake with Ricotta and Marzipan (Cassata)
 
Resources
Acknowledgements
Index