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With my heritage, and family from Sicily, how could I not recant foodie stories about Palermo?
Palermo, in the Sicilian northeastern coast, is a lovely city to visit. I am about to share the Palermo foodie scene you gotta experience.
From the cathedral to its astounding theater, many squares and piazza’s, it just screams holiday!
After spending time there during our honeymoon and craving to go back, I thought we could chat a bit about the foodie scene.
Of course, you know me, and no place is worth visiting if it lacks an astounding cuisine to go with it.
Palermo excels in this category, at the end of the day, it’s still Italy.
A trip to Palermo without a full day of foodie tasting is not a trip to Palermo. You gotta, is all I can say.
Considering all of the above, it’s time to share with the Palermo foodie scene you gotta experience to understand.
The Palermo Foodie Scene You Gotta Experience
Palermo offers incredible everything, so yes, I am biased. However, once you taste the pasta in Palermo there’s just no going back to basics.
The pasta here is exceptional. Actually, everything looks fantastic on the menus, from fine-dining restaurants to family-owned eateries.
I know that no matter where you choose to dine, in your home after shopping in the local markets, or in family-owned eateries or restaurants the foodie experience will be divine.
Palermo is a food-lover’s dream destination come true.
Pasta Presentations that Show off The Culinary Genious of the Palermo Foodie Scene
Pasta Alla Norma
A classic Sicilian dish you don’t want to miss is Pasta Alla Norma.
Pasta, combined with fried eggplant pieces, ricotta Salata, basil, tomatoes create a fresh flavor with masterful simplicity of texture.
I’d say it is a joyful jumble of veggies and pasta that create a unique flavor experience you want to capture and taste.
Pasta Con Le Sarde – Not TO BE missed when checking out the Foodie Scene in Palermo.
Hello little sardines, come into my belly. Pasta con le sarde is translated as Pasta with sardines.
When my aunt made this for us, she tossed in some Saffron, fresh Anise, a bucatini pasta cut, toasted pine nuts, and panko with hand-crushed tomatoes.
Sometimes she omitted the golden raisins because she thought it was overkill, but she subbed in a few chunks of fig (go figure right?).
The Palermo foodie scene must include a dish with Eggplant
Eggplant is huge in Italian cooking, and in Palermo, the dish to taste test is called Caponata.
Diced up eggplant, tomato sauce, olives, capers, and pine nuts, are entwined in this recipe and it is both intricated and ubiquitous.
While some use as a side dish, I prefer this as an entree smeared across Italian crusty bread.
Keeping up with the Palermo Foodie Scene
Still, if you want to experience the best food in Palermo, you must hit the markets.
Street food in Palermo is a standout. Make due course for the most popular markets.
Seek out Capo, Vucciria, and Ballaro. If you think you know crowds and food, this will school you a bit!
As it will be a feat to move through, make sure to try some of those market specialties that are grab-n-go goodies.
Palermo Foodie Scene ~ Actually Starts with Street Food Dishes You Have To Try
Here are six street food dishes you have to try in order to experience Palermo at its fullest.
For those that have a passion for saffron, this particular choice is big on flavor and is enlivened by ingredient changes per the different street chefs.
What I mean is that if you try the Arancini at one place and see it elsewhere grab it to compare. You won’t regret that moment!
Arancini, two-bite-sized pieces of heaven – Street Food
Arancini are saffron-scented rice balls than can vary in size and filling. However, these little beauts always deliver big on taste.
The Arancini is bread-coated and deep-fried, and they have a crunchy exterior and soft inside.
Upon taking the first bite, you’ll find that there are no two arancini alike — cheese, ham, meat, and even peas can live inside these orange fist-sized balls.
Variety exists, but the quality is mostly above average. Try a few and make your own opinion.
Truly, you’ll have to taste these little rice decadents to believe it.
Street Food – Palermo Foodie Scene Munches and Crunches will You?
Panelle, not your usual crackers. Pane is bread so the translation is so easy to figure here right?
Panelle is the name for fried, flat squares made of chickpea flour. These savory fritters are a great snack.
Sometimes flavored with parsley, they are not overly complicated but filling and satisfying.
You can eat them on their own, but locals use them as a sandwich filling creating a pane e panelle sandwich; the name is self-explanatory.
Crocche, insanely good croquettes. – with a Palermo Twist
Yes, these are croquettes, and it’s true that almost every country has its version of the hand-rolled starchy appetizer.
Let’s just say that the Sicilians in Palermo take these to a new level. In fact, you might say that the Crocche in Palermo is quite unique, though.
Crafted from potato and parsley and mint, crocche are hearty and aromatic, very soft but still crunchy.
In other countries, you won’t find milk being used nor mint. Rather eggs are used in other recipes. Which is why you want to try these!
Try the freshly made ones; they sell them on street food carts and trust me, they’re better than the ones at most restaurants!
I’d again say, Crocche are grab and go eats from the streets!
The Palermo Foodie Scene Leads to a Sandwich?
Pani ca’ meusa, a sandwich in Palermo? -This one is hard to pronounce, I know, but it’s worth seeking out.
Picture a pulled beef sandwich, but not quite. This is a beef spleen burger, and it’s incredibly meaty.
The secret is in frying the meat in lard, making it both tender and succulent.
Before you say no way, you gotta try it. In my earlier carnivorous days, I devoured it.
Try an authentic pani ca’ meusa at the Vucciria market; people swear by these.
Sfincione, Palermo’s pizza –
This isn’t pizza, let me tell you that. But it’s a close relative. Sfincione is a fluffy, tall bread with an oily texture.
It feels like focaccia, but it isn’t one either. Topped with tomato sauce, onions, anchovies, and local caciocavallo cheese.
You’ll find sfincione by the slice, and it’s a great lunch. Walking food that tempts the tastebuds.
Palermo’s food is terrific; simplicity at its finest. Follow the enticing smells into its markets and find something new and exciting every time.
The Foodie Scene to Seek Out In Palermo is not just in one place, it’s scattered about.
No matter what you grab, try, taste, buy, you are sure to be pleased.
Gourmet mixtures of simple ingredients create artisan-food that is sinfully appealing and delectable. Enjoy.