Sicily Wonderland

 

 

Italy is just too good for any words I could conjure up to describe it. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sicily, like most of Europe, celebrates Christmas a few days before Christmas Day and then throughout Epiphany.

Christmas decorations, and Living Nativity scenes and parades, a wonderful time to be in Italy.

 

 

 

Mount Etna behind Gangi. 

Video on YouTube about Gangi

French Husband heard about this town, and he wanted to see it. So we drove the most beautiful drive where sheep would cross the road and with olive groves with old homes nestled throughout the rolling hills, it was a dream like movie set.

 

"It's yours for the price of a cup of coffee - a historic house in a terracotta-tiled hill town in Italy.

Gangi is a hill-top town set amid the rolling wheat fields and wooded valleys of central Sicily, about an hour's drive south of the picturesque holiday resort of Cefalu.

Founded in the 12th century, it boasts a castle and access to hiking trails in the surrounding countryside.

The local council wants to sell around 20 houses, many of them derelict, which were bequeathed by locals who had neither the money nor the will to renovate them..." via Nick Squires, Rome

 

While we were there the entire center of Gangi was transformed into living nativity scene. Lambs, cows, drummer boys, shepherds, stalls with food and trinkets, Mary, Joseph and the baby.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is common to see small motorcycle-trucks coasting along the tiny streets, carrying entire markets on their back-beds with the driver chanting to the locals, "Vegetables/Fruit: Eggplants, artichokes, onions, lemons... 

 

 

The markets where vegetables look like my cousin Daniel's garden. Damn the size, the aroma, the pure pleasure of seeing real food that creates the perfume coming from the homes I walked by. The cauliflower, artichokes, broccoli... 

Beautiful dreams of cooking were stirred. 

 

 

 

If you like olives. If you like to eat. If you enjoy the earthy, real, down to earth, tasty, in the kitchen and heart of Italian cooking, Sicily will steal you forever.

 

Cefalu.

 

 

 

 

Cefalu Cathedral.

 

 

 

 

Charming, pretty little town on the coast with a lovely sandy beach. More expensive and tidy compared to Palermo, but Palermo has the pulse that attracts me.

Cefalu, Sicily

 

 

 

 

 

 

Street eats at Capo Market

and Ballaro Market.

Battered and fried zucchini blossoms.

Read more about all that is delicious here:

Markets in Palermo, 

Where not to be on a Diet.

 

 

 

If you are a germ-a-phobic, carrying hygienic wipes and in need of sterile surroundings, then there is no need for you to venture to the markets in Palermo. But if that doesn't bother you, go. The food smelled so good, the freshness obvious, the people genuine, the taste is worthy the exploration.

I found paradise in Capo.

 

 

 Foodie's Heaven is Sicily

"Arancini: Fried rice balls, stuffed with meat ragu, or mozzarella, or spinach with gorgonzola, or peas hidden within. A popular Sicilian street food.

 

  Sfincione: Like a pizza… but even better. The dough is spongy and delicious, and the topping includes onions, caciocavallo cheese, bread crumbs, and (of course) olive oil!

  Caponata: Like many Sicilian dishes, this one is based on eggplant. Eggplants are chopped and fried, and then seasoned with sweet balsamic vinegar, capers, and sometimes pine nuts and raisins. The result is a sweet-and-sour “salad” that’s a delicious accompaniment to the meal as a contorno—or even the main dish itself." Via and for more specialities of Sicily, The Best Food in Sicily.

 

 

 

 

Sacha took this photo of me. On the coast in Cerfalu.

Earlier in the day he said, "Mom you take layering to a whole new level: Fluffy Blanket Wear."

Seeing this photo I had to laugh, I have on five layers... that day we had weather from 77 f to 35 f. I was ready for anything, except rain.

 

Comments

[Toni]

Lovely! I will add Sicily to my list of trips I want to take!

[Nicolette]

This is on my Bucket list. My Grandmother Martha, her father is from Lercara. Actually my grandmothers maiden name is Martha Lercara. I so wanted to take her back to Lercara, unfortunately she has passed. One day I'll be their with my family.

[Marilyn]

A beautiful photo of you in your layers. You inspire. Love your travels in Italy. Wishing I was tere.

[Marilyn]

Oops! Wishing I was "there". Did you buy a 1 euro house to renovate?

[Jan D-M]

You wear blanket well. :) Beautiful picture of you. Thank you for sharing southern Italy.

[Kathie]

DROOL: I can almost smell those fried artichokes from here!!!

[French la Vie]

Nicole, I still guard your grandmother's caponata recipe that you shared with me. I thought of you when Yann had a pizza with that topping. xxx

[French la Vie]

Oh if only!

[Rebecca from the pacific northwest]

I quite like seeing Sacha's watermark on the photo of you.

Wonderful layering! Grey on grey on grey. And warm. (and I'm delighted that the image enlarged on my screen for more details when I clicked on it.)

[Fran Ferrari]

Love this! My family is from Termini Imeresi. Monreale Church is amazing. Enjoy and thank you for sharing good experiences in Sicily!

[Chico Sue]

This post drove me crazy with a desire to be teleported to Sicily immediately and eat until I burst. Your visual descriptions of the food were the spot on and tantalizing.
The photo that Sacha took of you is a lovely vision.
Thank you for sharing.

[Jennifer Phillipps]

I too heard about the houses available for free in Gangi, via a BBC programme. They would give you a property if you undertook to repair and remake it back to its best. I thought it looked like a wonderful little place....the views from the cities parapets were stunning.
Nice to see your lovely photos and salivate over the food! Early Happy New Year greetings from New Zealand! Cheers

[Our French Oasis]

Looks so gorgeous and I love your layering, you look fabulous. Hope you have a very happy and healthy 2017 x

[La Contessa]

THAT MOTORCYCLE little truck is called an APE........
I always wanted to bring one HOME!
I'm SOLD...........
DID FRENCH HUSBAND buy a property?I will be the first to RENT!!!!!
XO

[TerriNTexas]

Do I sense a new project in Gangi???? Love the blanket look! Ha!

[Anne]

We, too, are wondering if there's a new project in Gangi! Flying away from delicious Italy today - and will miss it too!
2017 Hugs -
Anne