We are currently in Sicilia (Sicily), south of Italy and the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.

There is something about Sicily that makes me feel at home and happy. Perhaps it is because it is the place where I met the love of my life, Simone to whom I have been married for 17 years. There is truly amazing food and beautiful ancient architecture to make anyone fall in love with the city.

With the exception of last week which brought surprisingly cooler temperatures and showery conditions to many regions of Italy, this week has returned to normal Sicilian temperatures and what I would consider  perfect weather – sunny and hot every day with no rain in sight. This means 2 things – ‘Let’s go to the beach’ and ‘delicious Sicilian food’.

When we are not cooking up a storm in Mamma Pina’s ‘Cucina Siciliana’ (Sicilian kitchen), we have definitely got the beach covered.

How many of you have tried Sicilian cuisine? What adds to its splendour are the influences by many nationalities who once ruled Sicily – Greeks, Arabs and the Spanish to name a few. So that leaves the question – what are the top Sicilian dishes that you must try when you visit? I have come up with a list of foods that you must try. I can guarantee that your trip will not be complete without them. If you can’t visit Sicily, not to worry. With Italian Spoon we will provide the recipes for you to cook these delicious dishes from anywhere in the world.

1. Caponata

2. Melanzane (eggplant/aubergine) alla Parmigiana

3. Schiacciata Siciliana ‘di patate e salsiccia’ (of potato and pork sausage)

4. Rigatoni pasta alla Norma

5. Swordfish impanato (crumbed)

6. Sfingi Siciliani (Sicilian style doughnuts)

Must try Sicilian dishes blog authored by Vanessa Bottaro.

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Vanessa Bottaro

Author, Founder and Creative Director at Italian Spoon

In my eyes, Italian cuisine is love on a plate.

Vanessa is Creative Director of the Italian Spoon website and Author of The Italian entertaining cookbook, a collection of home-style Italian recipes and tips for entertaining in true Italian-style. In addition to cooking and taking photographs, Vanessa writes the recipes and blogs to bring the love of Italian cooking to life! The collection of recipes and blogs on the website have been inspired by travels to Italy and desire to share what she has learnt from the great ‘Mamma’s and ‘Nonna’s in her life!

Vanessa is an entrepreneur and wife to husband Simone and the mother of two beautiful kids Dante and Mia. Even so she was born and lives in Melbourne Australia, Vanessa has a deep connection to Italy. Perhaps it is the food, or maybe it is because it is the place where Vanessa met the love of her life, Simone to whom she has been happily married for so many years.

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