Top 10 Culinary Specialties in Palermo

It's no secret to anyone that Italian gastronomy is among the best in the world. At the same time, no one could resist a plate of tender spaghetti, a slice of crispy pizza topped with a tomato sauce that Italian chefs have mastered, or even an intoxicating sweet dessert...It must be said, Italy certainly attracts with its sumptuous monuments, its jovial streets, its turbulent history especially with Rome, its romantic touch that we owe to Venice...But behind all that, food, in general, is part of the reasons why we love this country, whose flag with green and red hues easily remind us of certain colors that we frequently see in dishes. Is it a coincidence, that is the question. Come on, we're taking you to one of the iconic regions of Italy, Palermo, to discover its collection of cult dishes.

What to eat in Palermo?

1. Sfincione

We mentioned pizza earlier, well sfincione is a kind of pizza that was born in the kitchens of Palermo, a very long time ago. But be careful, it's nothing like a sort of "copy" of the classic pizza that we all know. Sfincione is made from a very soft leavened bread dough, which makes it fun to eat, especially for children. Very popular in Italian street food, the dish is topped with cheese and tomato sauce. For even more flavor, Italians like to add a fine touch of olive oil.

2. Arancini

In Italy, arancini is a must-have. You can find them absolutely in all cities, know that, and Palermo is no exception to the rule. Very easy and quick to cook, they are actually rice balls, breaded and fried, in all simplicity. Perfect for an appetizer! You can find different ingredients and small garnishes inside, like peas, or even "ragù", a typically Italian sauce, based on meat. For sure, arancini is the ideal type of dish to make you fall in love with Italy!

3. Caponata

Here is very certainly THE most classic dish of Palermo cuisine. If you love eggplant, you'll be served! Because it's the main ingredient of caponata. After that, you can find pieces of tomatoes, celery, onions, and green olives: it's a bit like a salad, a low-calorie dish, not too heavy on the stomach and pleasant to eat. Accompanied by an exquisite sweet and sour sauce, which Italy has mastered, this is a true ode to plant products.

4. Pasta with Sardines

After all, we are in Italy, you can well imagine that each region has its "cult" pasta dish. Well, in Palermo, it's pasta with sardines! The dish of "pasta con le sarde" is one of the most succulent dishes you'll taste in your life (if you like sardines of course). It is both soft thanks to the pasta, and crunchy thanks to the fish, which is an excellent source of vitamin B12. One bite, and you'll be immediately, irremediably, unquestionably, conquered!

5. Brioche Col Tuppo

Let's add some sweetness to this list, does that appeal to you? In terms of desserts that represent the city of Palermo, we highly recommend you taste the sublime brioche col tuppo, which we love to eat as dessert, or even for breakfast! This is a small brioche filled with ice cream, with a cute little hat on top. Very soft, it's very popular in Palermo, and generally wins unanimous approval from tourists. Are you already salivating?

6. Boiled Octopus Palermo Style

You love seafood: crustaceans, mussels, fish, squid, shrimp...Well, we guarantee that nowhere else will you taste an octopus-based dish as succulent as in Palermo! Know that octopus meat is very appreciated in the city. The most classic way to prepare it is to plunge it into a boiling pot, and once it's well cooked and tender, it's cut into pieces with a few drops of lemon juice added. Head to the markets, or to seaside resort stalls!

7. Cannoli

Another sweet treat, but then again, we never have enough! Cannoli attracts the eye with its long shape, and the powdered sugar sprinkled on top, which gives it the air of a "king dessert". Its particularity is that it's filled with ricotta cream, which the Romans already used a lot in their dishes. Vanilla-flavored, chocolate chips are generally added. It's the kind of dessert that plunges us directly into an Italian gastronomic epic.

8. Parmigiana

Parmigiana is a dish again based on eggplants, but this time cooked differently than Caponata. It's actually an eggplant gratin with tomato and cheese: crispy on top, and soft underneath. The perfect combo! This culinary gem literally drives crazy the tourists who come to spend a stay in Palermo. Many inhabitants even say that in terms of dishes, nothing is as good as eggplant parmigiana: well cooked and hot, with the gentle aroma of a tomato sauce cooked with care. What more could you ask for?

9. Wine

To accompany your dishes, nothing better than a delicious glass of wine, right? In Sicily, and more exactly in the city of Palermo, you'll discover some of the oldest wines, with antique taste, and enticing aroma. Among them, we recommend "Marsala", which is generally served with dishes containing meat. Very aromatic, this liqueur with dry tones delights the taste buds of wine lovers who love to savor it.

10. Pani Câ Mèusa

We end this ranking with a classic dish from Palermo, this time meat-based (carnivores, we see you smiling). In the form of a big burger, it's made with two slices of sesame bread, in which cow offal from the city has been slipped. It's a street dish, which we generally see in Italian street food. We like to add a little ricotta, for even more taste. Indeed, in the mouth, it's an explosion of flavors!