Palermo · Italy

Sicily

Explore Sicily’s pasta traditions, Arab and Mediterranean influences, aubergine, sardines, ricotta salata and regional shapes.

Regional character

How pasta tastes in Sicily.

Sicilian pasta reflects wheat, citrus, aubergine, seafood, nuts and centuries of Mediterranean exchange. Sweet, sour and salty elements often meet in the same dish.

Catania’s pasta alla Norma is one famous expression, while Palermo’s pasta con le sarde tells a different coastal story.

Shapes

Busiate

Anelletti

Maccheroni

Ingredients

Aubergine

Ricotta salata

Sardines

Pistachios

Breadcrumbs

Known dishes

Pasta alla Norma

Pasta con le sarde

Pesto Trapanese

Sauces of Sicily

From this region’s pans.

Regional association is based on the source notes in each guide. Household methods still vary.

Pesto and herb

Pesto alla Trapanese

Make Sicily's fresh almond and tomato pesto, understand its Ligurian connection and pair it with busiate or practical local shapes.

Read the sauce guide →
Cook the region

Recipes from Sicily.

Each recipe keeps traditional ingredients and practical substitutions clearly separated.

Rigatoni alla Norma with aubergine tomato basil and ricotta salata in a rustic bowl
Sicily · Catania

Pasta alla Norma

Fried aubergine, tomato, basil and ricotta salata come together in one of Sicily’s defining pasta dishes.

55 minModerateServes 4
Sicilian bucatini with sardines fennel raisins and toasted breadcrumbs
Sicily · fennel and sardines

Pasta con le Sarde

Sardines, wild fennel, raisins and saffron make one of Sicily's most distinctive sweet-savoury pasta dishes.

55 minModerateServes 4
Bucatini with golden cauliflower raisins pine nuts and toasted breadcrumbs
Sicily · Palermo classic

Pasta con Broccoli Arriminati

Cauliflower, saffron, anchovy, raisins and pine nuts create Palermo's sweet-savoury sauce for bucatini.

50 minModerateServes 4
Sicilian pasta alla carrettiera with spaghetti garlic parsley chilli and Pecorino
Sicily · Garlic, chilli and Pecorino

Pasta alla Carrettiera

Spaghetti meets raw garlic, parsley, chilli, Pecorino and olive oil in a bold Sicilian pantry sauce mixed away from direct heat.

20 minEasyServes 4