Rick Steves Thinks One Italian Island Has The Best Food In The Country
By Jack Hawkins
VACATIONS
Travel writer Rick Steves notes that while food is an art in Italy, it's a religion in Sicily. The diversity of Sicilian cuisine is surprising and delicious.
Sicily's 2,500-year history of Greek, Roman, Arab, Norman, and Spanish rule imparted many culinary traditions, from fruit and spices to couscous, marzipan, and Mamertino wine.
Steves recommends visiting the Ballarò Market, where vendors sell a delectable variety of goods, like chickpea fritters, fluffy anchovy pizza, and the Sicilian-favorite arancine.
Three hours southeast of Palermo, in the province of Ragusa, you'll find another unique street food called scaccia, a thin, rolled dough filled with tomatoes, cheese, and pork.
Steves describes Sicilian desserts as "distinctive and delicious" and reserves special attention for cannoli, the famous cream-filled pastry that dates back to 9th century Palermo.
West of Palermo is the village of Erice, home of the Genovesi pastry, which has a rich filling of custard or ricotta cream balanced with a hint of grated lemon zest.