Sicily is a melting pot of cultures and various groups established themselves on this small island over the past two thousand years. Sicilian cuisine is mainly Italian but there are also recognizable Greek, Arab and Spanish influences in a lot of the typical dishes. Dionysus from ancient Greece is believed to have introduced wine to the area and the ancient Romans brought elaborate goose recipes.
North African influences are obvious in the Trapani region, which is in the west, especially with regard to the use of couscous and fish dishes. The Arabs introduced sugar, citrus, rice, apricots, black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, raisins, nutmeg, saffron and melons and the Byzantines enjoyed sour and sweet flavors in their foods. The Normans liked meats and the Spanish brought maize, turkey, tomatoes, chocolate, and other foods from the New World.
Typical Dishes from Sicily
Famous Sicilian recipes include caponata, pani ca meusa, cheese, or meat-stuffed fried rice balls known as arancini, and Pasta alla 
Norma. A lot of local recipes are rich in fresh fish like sea bream, tuna, swordfish, cuttlefish, sea bass, and fresh vegetables like bell peppers, tomatoes, and eggplant. Red snapper is prepared in a sugary vinegar sauce and grilled swordfish features on many restaurant menus. Cuttlefish is served in its own black ink with pasta. Sardines with fennel is a well loved dish.
As well as fish, the locals appreciate good meat dishes. Goat and lamb are especially well loved. Veal marsala is a popular recipe outside the island and in fact, this dish enjoys global fame. Chicken alla marsala is similar. Veal spleen sandwiches are very Sicilian although probably not something many tourists would be brave enough to order.
A lot of people think of pasta and pizza when considering Italian recipes and recipes from Sicily and sfincione is a local pizza, which is made with onions and tomatoes. Some sfincione recipes also feature anchovies. This pizza is prepared on a thick bread, which is actually more like bread than the typically thin and crispy pizza crust favored in other Italian regions. This can be enjoyed as an appetizer or snack.
Panella is a thin paste made with powdered or crushed garbanzo beans. This paste is fried and served hot. Another use for garbanzo beans is maccu, which is a tasty, creamy soup recipe. Crocche are fried potato dumplings made of eggs, cheese, and parsley. Caponata is an eggplant, caper, celery and olive salad and this is a really popular appetizer recipe. You can also get artichoke caponata.
Mouthwatering Sicilian Desserts
If you have a sweet tooth, you will love Sicily's dessert recipes. Cassata is a sweet, rich cake filled with a sweet ricotta filling. Cannolis are tubular crusts filled with the same filling. Italian ricotta cheese is made with sheep's milk so it might taste a little different to the ricotta you know.
Sicilian ice cream is known as gelato and this ice cream is believed to have been invented in Roman times when runners would bring snow from Mount Etna to be flavored and served to the wealthy. This ice cream comes in many flavors including strawberry, rum, jasmine, and hazelnut. Granita is a crushed ice dessert flavored with strawberries or lemon juice.
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| Cassatella Siciliana |
Cannoli |
Gelato |
Granita |