Typical Dishes and Recipes of Sicilian Cuisine

Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, is a melting pot of cultures and flavors. Sicilian cuisine reflects the island's history, with influences from Arabic, Norman, Spanish, and Greek cuisine. In this blog post, we take you on a culinary journey through Sicily and present you with some of the best-known dishes that you can also cook at home. 

Arancini are fried rice balls filled with a variety of ingredients like ragù, mozzarella, or peas. These crispy treats are a typical snack in Sicily. 

- 400 g risotto rice
- 1 l chicken broth
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 100 g grated Parmesan
- 100 g mozzarella, cut into small cubes
- 150 g minced meat
- 100 g peas
- 1 can peeled tomatoes (400 g)
- 2 eggs
- 100 g flour
- 200 g breadcrumbs
- Salt and pepper
- Olive oil
- Oil for frying 

1. Fry the onion in olive oil, add the rice and fry briefly. Gradually add the chicken broth and cook the rice while stirring until it has absorbed the liquid and is al dente. Mix with Parmesan and let cool.
2. Fry the minced meat in a pan, add the peeled tomatoes and peas and let simmer until the sauce has thickened. Season with salt and pepper and let cool.
3. Flatten a handful of rice in the palm of your hand, place some filling and a mozzarella cube in the center, and form into a ball.
4. Roll the rice balls in flour first, then in beaten egg, and finally in breadcrumbs.
5. Fry the arancini in hot oil until golden brown and drain on kitchen paper.
6. Serve hot. 

Pasta alla Norma is a classic Sicilian pasta dish with eggplant, tomatoes, ricotta salata, and basil. It is a tribute to the opera "Norma" by the Sicilian composer Vincenzo Bellini. 

- 400 g pasta (e.g., rigatoni or penne)
- 2 large eggplants
- 1 can peeled tomatoes (400 g)
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 bunch fresh basil
- 100 g ricotta salata, grated
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper 

1. Cut the eggplants into cubes, salt them, and let sit for 30 minutes. Then rinse and pat dry.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan and fry the eggplant cubes until golden brown. Drain on kitchen paper.
3. In the same pan, sauté the garlic, add the peeled tomatoes, and let simmer for about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Add the eggplants to the tomato sauce and mix well.
5. Cook the pasta in plenty of salted water until al dente, drain and add to the sauce. Mix well.
6. Sprinkle with grated ricotta salata and fresh basil leaves and serve immediately. 

Caponata is a sweet and sour vegetable dish served as an antipasto or side dish. It mainly consists of eggplant and is refined with capers, olives, and a sweet and sour dressing. 

- 2 large eggplants, diced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 tomatoes, diced
- 100 g green olives, pitted
- 2 tbsp capers
- 50 g pine nuts
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 4 tbsp white wine vinegar
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper

1. Fry the eggplant cubes in olive oil until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
2. In the same pan, fry the celery, onion, and pine nuts until the onion is soft.
3. Add the tomatoes, olives, and capers and let simmer for a few minutes.
4. Return the eggplants to the pan and mix well.
5. Add the sugar and vinegar and cook for a few more minutes until the liquid is slightly reduced.
6. Season with salt and pepper and serve at room temperature or chilled. 

Sarde a Beccafico is a traditional Sicilian dish of stuffed sardines. It is often served as an antipasto or main course and is characterized by its sweet and savory flavors. 

- 500 g fresh sardines, boned and opened
- 100 g breadcrumbs
- 50 g sultanas
- 50 g pine nuts
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 bunch fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
- 100 ml olive oil
- Juice of one lemon
- Bay leaves
- Salt and pepper 

1. Toast the breadcrumbs in a pan without fat until golden brown and place them in a bowl.
2. Add sultanas, pine nuts, chopped parsley, garlic, sugar, and some olive oil to the breadcrumbs and mix well. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Spread a small amount of filling on each sardine, roll them up, and secure with a bay leaf.
4. Place the stuffed sardines in a baking dish, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with lemon juice.
5. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for about 20 minutes until the sardines are cooked.
6. Serve hot or at room temperature. 

Sicilian cuisine is rich in flavors and traditions. From crispy Arancini to aromatic Pasta alla Norma, to sweet-sour Caponata and delicious Sarde a Beccafico – each of these dishes tells a story and brings a piece of Sicily right into your kitchen. Try these recipes and be enchanted by the diversity and richness of Sicilian cuisine!