When thinking about possible destinations that allow visitors to sample the cuisine of several regions, Italy is an obvious choice. Sicily has a unique and diverse culinary history that you might not expect. The fifth-century BC cook Mithaecus is said to have written the first cookbook.
One of the best ways to enjoy the local cuisine on the largest island in the Mediterranean is to stay in a beautiful country house. The island of Sicily is full of quaint cafes, rustic trattorias and upscale restaurants of all price ranges, so it's important to have the freedom to plan your own itinerary. Guests staying in one of Sicily's beautiful villas can dine at restaurants, shop at local markets, or even try preparing a classic Sicilian dish in their own kitchen.
Food you can buy on the sidewalks
Foodies should not miss the opportunity to try local dishes such as street food and snacks. From any Sicilian villa, street food vendors and local restaurants offering affordable, authentic Sicilian cuisine are within walking distance. A delicious example is Maccu soup, a soup of pureed beans with strong fennel flavors. Pick up some arancini, a popular Sicilian street food, from a vendor if you need a quick lunch on the go. You can pack just about anything into the arancini, deep-fried rice balls. Chickpea patties, known as "pane e pannelle" and eaten between breads, are popular with locals, as is the local pizza substitute, a deep-dish focaccia with a wide range of toppings.
Foods made from milk, meat and starch
Like Indian curries, pasta dishes in Italy vary from region to region and city to city. Pasta has long been a staple of Sicilian cuisine, with several regional variations, including the island's rich fish and the famous sweets in pakistan, with its signature sauce of tomatoes, basil and fried eggplant. There are several local delicacies to choose from, such as sardines and sea urchins.
Some of the best cheeses in the world come from this region, including caciocavallo, ragusano and canestrato. The small, firm cookies called biscotti regina are sprinkled with sesame seeds and sit on a tantalizing level between sweet and savory, making them an ideal dessert alternative.
Dishes and sweets will be on the menu.
The island's seafood is processed in unconventional ways, such as boiling squid or sautéing and then frying swordfish, and is unrivaled in terms of freshness and quality.