Top 5 Sicilian dishes that you must try in Sicily!

We all know that cooking some of the most typical dishes from any cuisine, will never have the same result as having them in their original birthplace. Is not like we can’t cook properly because I’m pretty sure that some of our readers are exceptional chefs, but some recipes have their true and original taste if you eat them where they were born, is just as simple as that and there’s no scientific explanation. That’s also why every time that I go back to Sicily I must have all of these things because even if I can cook some of them at home, the taste is not the same thing!

So, if you’re planning to visit Sicily soon, you should start thinking about what you don’t have to miss for any reasons in the world (and start training your stomach, because you’ll have loads of food!). You may not like all of them as they may be a bit too “extreme”, and we’re also trying to keep this list short so that you have time to enjoy everything if you’re coming only for a couple of days, but we can assure you that once tried, you’ll never find anything similar to that in your life!

1.Polpo Bollito

As we said earlier, Sicily is one of the best places where you can get genuine fresh fish. If there is something that you really need to try if you’re going in Sicily is Polpo Bollito (Boiled Octopus) – So tender, juicy (I love it with loads of sprinkled lemon juice) and tasty!!

1.Spaghetti ai Ricci

Sicily can really offer one of the best fresh fish selection that you’ll ever be able to taste! I really encourage you to try almost everything when it comes to fish (Cozze scoppiate, Involtini di Pesce Spada above everything..) but what you really need to taste, especially if you’re into seafood, is Spaghetti ai Ricci di mare (Pasta with Sea Urchins). There’s no word apart from DELICIOUS that you can use for this dish!

2.Pane ca meusa

I have to admit that this one is a bit of a tough one, as this is definitely not for everyone. Pane ca meusa is a typical sandwich from the Palermo area. Is the king of the street food, you can basically find it everywhere in Palermo city center, but the most famous place (and one of the older) is the “Focacceria San Francesco”. What is made of? Deep-fried (in lard, not oil!) beef spleen and lung, of course, served in a soft bread bun with Caciocavallo cheese and lemon! You Love it or you Hate it. Me, personally, I’m crazy about it.

4.Sfincione

Diffused typically in the northwestern part of the island, “u ‘sfinciuni” is one of the most important Sicilian culinary specialties. It can be served as an appetizer on a family evening, or as a main course in place of the pizza! We know that we shared the recipe on this blog (you can find it here!), but as I said up here, you really need to taste the real deal in their hometown. Be sure to grab one slice from the typical Ape-car that you’ll see driving around Palermo city center: that’s the real Sfincione, based on the traditional recipe!

5.Arancini

Arancini or Arancine? The never ending fight between Catania and Palermo. The way that they’re calling this amazing deep-fried stuffed rice ball is different (Masculine Vs Feminine) but the result is always the same: they’re simply one of the most famous Sicilian dishes around the world. And of course, where do  you think you’ll have one of the best Arancin* of your entire life? If you want to cook them at home, follow our recipe here!

Sicilian Food Culture