One of the best things to do in Sicily? Dining and sampling Sicilian delights – just wait and see what cuisine she have to offer!

In Sicily, good food is everywhere and for all occasions: no ceremony, feast or business meeting takes place without some form of culinary delights. It is a pleasant obsession that has created a very rich and interesting cuisine.

Ambling through the local markets, you will realise the enormous variety of ingredients and possible combinations available: colourful and luscious vegetables, fresh fish and lots of different varieties of street food and finally, the desserts that in Sicily which out of this world! In short, it is inevitable that your journey in Sicily will heavily influenced by food!

How to orientate then these countless opportunities? Here are some tips and recommendations.

1. Taste as much as you can

Be inquisitive! If you see a shop or food stand crowded and surrounded with people, get up close because very likely there is amazing food on offer!

Often the most popular and authentic places are also the most poorly kept. The owners know that visitors are attracted by the fame they have established through reputation of the quality of their products; regular clients gather there for the unique and delicious food and not necessarily for the decor.

Some rotisserie, pizza places or taverns may look cheap but if they are full of people, you must absolutely try them out!

2. Take a walk through the markets

To discover the most typical ingredients and their seasonality, be sure to ask to the vendors for information and tips about their products and even sample something that inspires you. Then, if you are undecided between different stands or if you are not sure that the price is fair, it’s a good idea to ask some local shoppers: most of the time, they will be happy to tell you their opinion and give to you some suggestions. If you can, ask about some local recipes, collect your ingredients and try it out for yourself!

3. Get advice from the locals

People who work in your hotel, the owners of your B&B, folks you meet along the way will be kind and helpful and provide some excellent suggestions to ensure you get the very best experience in sampling their local dishes. Sicilians are very proud of their cuisine: they love to go back to their favorite places and enjoy the traditional foods. Of course each has their own personal preferences and you may not like the dish they suggest but we believe it‘s always worth chatting with the locals and getting new tips and exciting recipes to take home with you.

4. Take a wine/food tour

In most Sicilian cities, you will find interesting proposals for guided food and wine tours. Each locality has its own different and unique products and dishes so you can easily repeat your experience in different locations without duplicating the tastes! You will soon learn to how to distinguish between the original and alternative flavours of street food and desserts, the Mediterranean diet, and of course the superb wines!

Optimise your time and try the best that locals will select for you and also get an in-depth description about the products, ingredients, processing and preservation techniques and many more curiosities.

Together we will enjoy and sample the most typical products from the very western parts of Sicily, around Trapani: the unique desserts from Erice, the genuine Mediterranean diet and freshly-made local cheeses.

5. Cook with locals

A cooking experience is a great way to socialize with Sicilians: learn the recipes and secrets, taste the most authentic flavors. You can choose between technical cooking classes, home cooking or a home restaurant, depending on your personal preference and also on your budget.

It will be an experience that will make you more conscious of the distinctiveness and diversity of Sicilian cuisine, which does not only consist in cooking and eating, but also in sharing and socialising.

We can organize cooking experiences in Trapani and its surroundings: contact us for more information.