Weather in Sicily
Sicily’s climate is typically Mediterranean, dry in the summer and mild in the winter. It rains mainly in autumn and spring, and in summer temperatures reaching 35/40 °C can be experienced.
However, because of the presence of mountains, the climate can vary based on the altitude and the exposure to the dominant winds. So while in the coastal areas the influence of the sea is predominant, the interior presents continental or even alpine traits.
Particularly dry are the southern and western parts of the island, while on the Tyrrhenian and the Ionian coasts rain is more abundant, and it can even snow in the higher mountains.
The main winds are the northwest wind and the Sirocco, the latter being particularly noteworthy. Frequent in the hotter season, the Sirocco causes sudden rises in temperature, with the sky often reddened by sand from the North African deserts.
Sicilian food
Sicilian cuisine is the expression of an art developed in the region from ancient times and is connected to the island’s historical, cultural, and religious vicissitudes. As early as the times of Ancient Greece, Sicily was developing a precise culinary style that, with the passing of the centuries, has been enhanced by new flavors and new dishes.
Thus it is a regional gastronomy showing traces of all the peoples who settled in Sicily over the last 2000 years, handed down from generation to generation, which explains why to this day dishes of very ancient origin are still served on a daily basis.
Sicilian food defines the identity of the Sicilian people, and has become in recent years a veritable tourist attraction. Some of the most well known and loved dishes are the Cassata (a traditional cake), the Cannolo (also sweet), Granite (flavored crushed ice), and Arancine (fried rice balls). Thanks to its mild climate, the island is rich in spices and herbs: oregano, mint, and rosemary are often part of Sicilian dishes. The fertile land produces oranges, lemons, almonds, pistachios, olives, and prickly pears in great quantity, all symbols of Sicily.
SICILIAN FOOD SPECIALTIES
The Sicilian gastronomic tradition is surely one of the richest and most important in Italy, full of the influences of all the cultures that settled in Sicily over the millennia. It is a complex cuisine full of Mediterranean flavours, with a unique balance of land and sea. In different areas of Sicily, you will typically find different local products with deep ties to the territory, transforming any cultural or touristic itinerary into a delicious food and wine tasting experience. It would be unforgivable to leave Sicily without having tasted a good portion of the island’s specialties.
