Scrumptious Sicily

Sicily stands a citrus island with Mediterranean waters lapping its shores and blossoming lemons, oranges and mandarins in abundance. Located just off the Italian coast bordering Tunisia of North Africa, the city basks in glorious summer warmth and fresh air. Sicily stuns your every sense.

Sicily has for centuries together been a multi cultural land. The Romans, Carthaginians, Jews, Spanish, Greeks have all called the land their home. A place where culture has reached its peak, where the artistry of renaissance and the echoes of the middles ages can be seen and heard of till date. Palermo, the island’s largest city is a compilation of the Baroque period of architecture. The Cathedral of Monreale is one of the most exulted creation of Norman architecture. The people of the island pride in their history as well as their diversity.

It is believed, and quite obviously, that the irresistible goddess of Love named Venus, was born in Sicily. And why not! Italy’s largest grape-growing province slumbers, known as the “Mazara Valley”. The balmy island’s 4,000 year old wine making tradition is prided and preserved very carefully. However, commendable efforts have been made to hoist Sicilian wines to international standards – better known as the “wine renaissance”. Intense researches in viticulture has matured Sicily’s approach to its spirited wines. The green spilling vineyards calm your nerves till you shut your eyes and take a sip of its vino. And the best place to do this is a visit to Mount Etna where the best vineyards and orchards revive your thirst. Do not miss the famous Murgo winery to glimpse at sparkling wine-making.

Once you have quenched your thirst with jovial local wines, please say cheese. When an island harbours excellent stock of sheep, goats and cows what else is left to be said! Canestrato, piacentinu, capra, tuma – each of these unique Sicilian cheese has its favoured food accompaniment, an etiquette to be followed. Just as canestrato is had off the table with both wine and fruit and tuma goes well with ham.

To visit Sicily one should have a strong appetite for life. Sicily is indeed a scrumptious island of heritage, scenic panoramas and cuisine. The sun and the air work up your appetite instantly and before you know it you say, “grazie” and “buon appetito” to the Sicilian cafe owner.