The Province of Catania

 

 

Almost halfway on the East Coast of Sicily, encircled by lemon and orange orchards, the city of Catania was founded by the Greeks in the 8th century BC and called Katane (grater) because the characteristics of the rock formation shaped by the lava’s eruptions of the Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe that sits to the North of the city.
Catania is the second largest city in Sicily, with 375,000 inhabitants. The industries, the important port and the hardworking people of this province have developed manufacturing and commerce, making Catania the most energetic and flourishing Sicilian city.
Traditions and taste are joined and enjoyed in Catania by their inhabitants and by the world’s gourmets.
In Catania, bread dough stuffed with fresh cheese called tuma and anchovies or cauliflowers and cheese are baked to make the aromatic schiacciata, in the shape similar to an “empanada”.

Fried dough stuffed with ricotta, the crispeddi is a nutritious snack, or a dessert if the ricotta is sweetened; when stuffed with cheese and anchovies are called Siciliana in Catania.
Among the special pasta dishes imitated all over Sicily and behind is the spaghetti alla Norma, made with tomato sauce, eggplants, ricotta salata cheese and the pasta con i masculini, made with fresh anchovies fried with onions, wild fennel and peas.

The salsiccia e bastardu affucatu, barbequed sausages are served with purple sautéed cauliflower which grows exclusively at the lower slopes of the Etna.
The pesce arrostito, roasted fish is seasoned and served with a sauce made with fresh oregano, thyme, fresh olive oil and lemon juice.

The olive di Santa Agata, prepared for the festival of the homonym Saint Patron of Catania, are small green balls of liquor flavored marzipan, in the shape of olives. The crispelle di riso, sweet rice croquettes covered with orange honey are made throughout the province. Commendable are the torroni, the gelati, and a large variety of almonds cookies, the cassata, cannoli, cakes and pastries which create an exceptional mosaic of tastes particular to this city.