La Cucina Siciliana: The Sicilian Kitchen

Sicily is a land that holds many wonders. Between the sea, the sun, the rich history, and the spectacular food and wine, there is much to delight the senses.

One of the most fascinating things about Sicily is the mix of cultures that have left and impact on the land, whether in the form of architecture, culture, language, and in this case food. Sicily has been inhabited by the Spanish, Arab, Normans, and Greeks, and their mix of footprints can still be seen today.

The Sicilian kitchen is based on local, available ingredients. One of the most traditional dishes is called “Caponata,” a mix of fried vegetables including eggplant, peppers, and celery. Slightly similar to ratatouille, this dish combines local vegetables with a sweet and sour finish. In the case of caponata, the Arabs brought the tradition of the ‘agrodolce’ sweet and sour sauce. On the western side of the island where they landed, you will find agrodolce couscous still served today.

The Sicilian kitchen is based on local, available ingredients. One of the most traditional dishes is called “Caponata,” a mix of fried vegetables including eggplant, peppers, and celery. Slightly similar to ratatouille, this dish combines local vegetables with a sweet and sour finish.

The following recipe is from our friends at ‘Smile and Food,’ a local cooking class in Ortiga (the historical center of Siracusa). When visiting Siracusa, one of the neatest things you’ll find is the outdoor fish market, where you can find everything from traditional spices and local produce to the fresh catch of the day.. and then some.

Caponata Siciliana

You will find it all over Sicily, with slightly varying recipes, but the traditional caponata will always include:

1 kg eggplant, cubed
1 kg red peppers, cubed
3-4 carrots, chopped
2-3 celery stalks, leaves included, chopped
1 Onion, chopped
12-14 green olives, pitted and chopped in half
1 small can of tomatoes or 250g (1/2 lb) fresh, skinned and seeded
1/3 cup white sugar
1/3 cup white vinegar
Oil for frying
Handful of capers, rinsed (optional)
Handful of pignoli nuts (optional)
Crostini, or bread for serving

1. Chop eggplant and peppers into large chunks (carrots, celery and onion into smaller cubes)
2. Fry in small batches in a deep pan, ensuring that the vegetables are completely submerged in the oil. We suggest sunflower oil for frying, but you can also use canola or peanut oil (Note: not olive oil!)
3. Fry vegetables in the following order: first eggplants, then celery, carrots, onion, and finally tomatoes
4. Place vegetables on a paper town to absorb excess oil
5. Place all ingredients back into pan, add olives, capers, pignoli nuts and sauté all together for a 5-8 minutes.
6. Sprinkle on sugar, then vinegar, stir gently and remove from heat
7. Allow to cool completely before serving.
8. Enjoy with crostini or your favorite bread. Buon appetito!