White Almond Sicily

Sicily is a place full of myths and legends and there are many stories associated with the island. From the stories of nymphs and gods from Greek and Roman mythology to tragic love stories from an exotic era when the island was under Arabic, Norman and Spanish rule. Some stories have happy endings and some not so happy endings.  What is a legend? Legends are stories which are thought to be based on true events but have developed fictional elements that have deep significance to the culture from which they originate. For example historians claim that King Arthur really existed but his existence is shrouded in different legends, such as is his final resting place on Mount Etna?  What is a myth? Myths are stories derived from cultural traditions or legends most of which have a deep symbolic meaning and usually involve a lesson that will be helpful to the listener or reader. Mythical characters are often non-human in some form or related to a god or supernatural being, often set i...

August is one of the hottest and most popular months of the year in Sicily and it is also the month when one of the biggest holidays in Italy,  Ferragosto, takes place which   is celebrated on the 15th. Everyone takes the day off and heads to the beach. Traditionally Ferragosto marks the start of Italy's summer holidays. Northern Italian cities are deserted as everyone heads south to Sicily leaving signs on their businesses saying "Goodbye until 1st September".  During the hot balmy summers in Sicily light desserts are a blessing and with watermelons being in such abundance at this time of year one of the most popular summer desserts that Sicilian's make is Gelo di Melone  which is a delicious, light, fresh and colourful watermelon pudding.  Another light dessert popular on the island is Biancomangiare Siciliano  which is a delicious pudding made with latte di mandorle (almond milk).  Biancomangiare, or  biancu manciari in Sicilian dialect, lite...