RECIPES FROM A SICILIAN-AMERICAN kitchen
Sicilians and their brethren on the Italian mainland are celebrated the world over for their love of food. And food in their ethnic tradition is central to the experience of home. Some good eating happens in my book, Home Elsewhere, so I am dedicating this page to sharing some of the recipes mentioned in the book and other tried-and-true dishes (not all Sicilian!) that have pleased family and friends, gathered around this Sicilian-American's table.
Click on the recipe link below its title to get ingredients and directions for each recipe.
Autumn Vegetable Roast
A handy, herbaceous way to serve whatever veggies you've got. A version of this dish features at the Thanksgiving meal in Chapter 11 of Home Elsewhere
Balsamic Glazed Pearl Onions (Cipolline in Agrodolci)
Another Thanksgiving sine qua non. I use more readily available pearl onions but the dish is traditionally done with Cipolline. Described in Chapter 11.
Crostini alla Norma
Great as an appetizer, for a simple lunch on toast, or as a ragù for pasta.
Lucy's Potato filling
A staple of our Thanksgiving table. Featured in Chapter 11.
"Melting" Chicken Stew (Gaddu Stimbaradu)
Adapted from a family recipe for rabbit stew. Featured in chapter 15 of Home Elsewhere.
Orange Salad
My go-to lunch dish -- nutritious, tasty, and made with simple ingredients
Orzo Salad
A versatile side dish with many possible variations
Panzanella
A summertime favorite, made with a surfeit of delicious ripe tomatoes and day-old bread. See my blog, "In Praise of Tomatoes," Part 1 and Part 2.
Sicilian Beef Pot Roast (Pizzaiola)
Torta Rustica
Great for al fresco dining, served room temperature
COOKIES FROM A SICILIAN-AMERICAN kitchen
Almond Biscotti (Biscotta a Mennula)
Chock full of almonds and redolent of anise, these biscotti will be gone in no time.
Almond Cookies (Pasticcini di Mandorle)
Called ricciarelli in Tuscany or pasticcini di mandorle in Sicily, these Italian-style macaroons are both dairy and gluten free.
Biscotti Regina
A traditional and very popular addition to any biscotti tray.
Brutti ma Buoni (Ugly but Good)
This perhaps unfairly named "ugly but good" cookie is crisp and light and very satisfying.
Cuccidati
Featured in Chapter 34 of the book: a rich dough (pasta frolla) is rolled out and stuffed with a nutty fig filling, iced and decorated with colorful non-pareils. These Sicilian gems are definitely worth the effort.
Giuggiulena
Once largely a Christmas treat, this crunchy sesame brittle can be found all over Sicily any time of year.
My Mother's Biscotti
The simplest five-ingredient recipe was a favorite with my dad, and makes a superlative dunking cookie for your morning coffee.
Pistachio Cookies
An European-style cookie that is delicious and easy to make.
Pizzelle
A family recipe for these very popular waffle cookies, plus a bonus family recipe for sandwich-cookie filling. Featured in chapter 34 of the book.
Ricotta Cookies
A lovely soft cookie with a delicious traditional flavor, red and green sprinkles give these sweets a decided holiday air.
Scorzetti ("S" Cookies)
Featured in Chapter 34 of Home Elsewhere. These were my grandmother’s signature Christmas cookie.
Sugar Cookies
Featured in Chapter 14, this versatile sugar cookie recipe has been in my family's Christmas cookie rotation for years.
MORE RECIPES FROM A SICILIAN-AMERICAN kitchen
Cuccía
The traditional Sicilian dish to celebrate the feastday of St. Lucy, December 13.
Eggplant Parmesan
Everyone should have one simple version of this family favorite!
Limoncello Tiramisù
A lemony light dessert that measures up to its name: "Life me up!"
Pan Bagnat
A tasty recipe for picnics and outings, easy to make and carry with you.
Another Pan Bagnat
This savory edible is easy to assemble from staples in your fridge or larder, and can be served as a substantial hors d'oeuvre too.
Peach Cobbler
A delicious easy dessert that captures the juicy flavor of summer. See chapter 10 of the book for the Luna family's method of preserving fresh peaches.
Ravioli with Vegetarian Boscaiola Sauce
My family declared this simple recipe "a keeper" on the first try!
Red Wine Cranberry Relish
It just wouldn't be Thanksgiving without cranberries on the table. So simple and so good.
Rice Salad (Insalata di Riso)
I made this as a suggested food to pair with Italian white wines at a recent wine tasting. It's a light and unconventional dish for lunch or picnics.
Vino Cotto
Sometimes called grape molasses, this rustic sweetener is used in a variety of Sicilian desserts.