A TASTE OF SICILY

Sicilian & Mediterranean culture, cuisine and travel.

Brought to you by Isabella Akshay.

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Cherry Tomato Confit

Cherry Tomato Confit is a super easy side that can jazz up any kind of meal, and requires just 5 minutes prep. It's also super versatile...

Ceci Verdi (Fresh Green Chickpeas)

We have farmers’ markets every day of the week in my hometown and the experience of going there can be a bit…intense! Very loud, hot, the...

Spaghetti all'Assassina (the Assassin's Spaghetti)

Spaghetti all'Assassina (the Assassin's Spaghetti). Do you know this dish? Contrary to popular belief, the invention of "Spaghetti...

Chickpea, Sweet Potato & Roasted Red Pepper with Homemade Harissa & Wild Oregano

This is a lovely vegan stew I made for my Sicilian family yesterday and we all loved. It's simple but has so many layers of flavour -...

Pilaf Rice with Radicchio, Mushrooms and Gorgonzola

Pilaf (or pilau, or pulao) is a rice dish that is not originally from the Mediterranean (being it typical of Iran, Eastern Europe, the...

Baked Feta & Bell Peppers Pasta

Sundays at home are for baked pasta, but this is a non-classic version of it. I'm jumping on the "baked feta" trend bandwagon and...

3-Ingredient Pizza Pinwheels

If you are ever invited to my place for dinner, I can assure you one of the items on the menu is going to be these pizza pinwheels! They...

Polpette al Sugo (Vegan Italian-Style Lentil Meatballs in Cherry Tomato Sauce)

“Polpette al Sugo” ~ We all have a recipe that is close to our heart, one that takes us back to our childhood. But if there is one that...

Pizza “Golosa” with Slow Fermentation Spelt Dough

Spelt is one of the oldest known cereals and has remained virtually unchanged over thousands of years. It's one of the precursors of soft...

Green Beans Au Gratin with Pine Nuts & Raisins

Another cosy, healthy dish that comes together in no time. Green beans are one of the veggies I love to eat during the spring and summer...

Favi a' Trappitara (Sicilian Fava Beans in Olive Oil and Fennel)

The name deriving from the word “trappeto” or oil mill. This dish is one of what we call "cucina povera" (peasant cuisine) and would be...

Sicilian Raw Pickled Aubergines

These raw pickled aubergine are one of my favourite things in the world…so so addictive! This is my mum's version and the recipe is one...

Spaghetti with Ricotta, Cherry Tomatoes & Oven-Baked Aubergine

Basically, as Mediterranean as it gets. I’m in love with this summery pasta, which combines fresh raw ingredients like cherry tomatoes...

Gnocchi with Gorgonzola & Courgettes

I'm sure you guys know by know I'm a bit obsessed with gnocchi. I've shared many recipes before - from classic, to pumpkin, sweet potato,...

Fagiolini alla Pizzaiola (Green Beans 'Pizzaiola'

My favourite dishes are the ones that are simple and only use a handful of the best ingredients. This is one such example. Back home, our...

Passato di Verdure (Cream of Vegetable Soup)

When I was little, I absolutely hated Minestrone. I was never a fussy eater but I gagged at the sight of the chunky soup. Somehow though,...

Scacciata agli Spinaci (Sicilian Spinach Pie)

The scacciata (or schiacciata) is a savoury pie typical of Catania and Sicily in general. Each city, or even family, has its different...

Carciofi e Patate in Padella (My Grandma's Sautéed Artichokes & Potatoes)

This is a traditional, very simple side dish that, although common to various parts of Italy, I particularly associate with my...

Vegetarian Zucchini Carbonara

A meat-free dish we love very much in my family. It's very easy to make and will be on your plate in under 30 minutes. I like to top it...

Creamy One-Pot Pasta Shells with Broad Beans & Herbs

Pasta "risottata" is cooked directly in the pan (like a risotto), by gradually adding water and continuing to stir until the liquid is...