Imagine if you will…
A world without Sicilian Cuisine, frightening!
In the iconic Twilight Zone Series, the host of the show, Rod Serling would start the show with the comment “imagine if you will…”. Prompting our minds to a fantasy place and flood us with thoughts of wonder. But “imagine if you will”, if Sicilian food and its wonderful history and culture was only available in the Twilight Zone and not something we can have and enjoy here in reality. A world without Sicilian Cuisine, frightening!
Sicilian food and culture has not only permeated the world all over but was in and of itself infused from invading cultures throughout the centuries. A melting pot of Arab, Norman, German, Spanish, Greek, Roman, Vandals, Osttrogoth, Aragonese and Phonecian external powers. Each nation and group contributing to the present day culture and food of Sicily. And just as Sicily has influenced cuisines around the world, it’s left a particular mark here in America which subsequently has created “The Sicilia American Classics”. Food that is not necessarily Sicilian but Sicilian influenced. Immigrants adapting to newly available foods started to experiment and create wonderful new dishes by giving them the love of the Sicilian kitchen. Food that is now enjoyed and indulged by many Americans to this very day.
Baked Clams, The Hero Sandwich, Pasta with meatballs, The Italian Beef Sandwich, The pizza made in the East Coast by Sicilian immigrants, Fried Calamari Hero, Ricotta, American mozzarella, Marinara sauce, and so much more. We popularized seafood in America and influenced lunchmeats, cheeses and a fanfare of antipasti.
Aside from the foods we helped shaped into the American culture we kept many of our wonderful dishes intact and helped develop the palate of every red blooded foodie American. Arancini, Cannoli, Caponata, Crocche, Panelle, Pasta alla Norma, Pasta con Sarde, Scaccia, Pesto alla trapanese and who can forget Gelato and Granita?
We strengthened and reinforced the family tradition to gather together with our own, to drink homemade wine and eat endless amounts of food and desserts. Hands flailing as we speak animated to one another while forks and knives are working their magic on the food before us at a blinding rate of speed. As laughter competes for airspace with the fragrance coming from the kitchen.
We are not in the Twilight Zone and we can never imagine a world without Sicilian food and culture.
The Author:
Francesco (Frank) Scimeca was born in the Province of Palermo Sicily. He immigrated to The USA at the age of three. A classically trained chef and restaurant entrepreneur, Frank has traveled the world over and goes back to Sicily every year. He was the former radio host and food critic in Chicago for The Food For Thought Show, featuring restaurants, chefs and epicureans weekly. He can be reached for comment at [email protected]