Making Paste di Mandorle
Beautiful almond trees adorn the Sicilian countryside and in late February and March these trees come into blossom with delicate pinkish white flowers and the scent is overwhelming. The almond blossoming is celebrated at this time in one of Sicily's most famous festivals signifying that Spring is awakening on the island. This festival is held in Agrigento a town in Southern Sicily well known for the famed Valley of the Temples which sets the scene for the festivities. It is when the town of Agrigento literally goes nuts!!! Almond in Italian is "Mandorla" and in Sicilian dialect "Mendula". The almond tree was brought to Sicily by the Ancient Greeks who knew how to make a type of marzipan with ground almonds and honey. The Arabs introduced sugar cane to Sicily and it was this combination that started the great tradition of Sicilian marzipan. A sharp tongue in Sicilian dialect is "Pizzuta" which also refers to the famous sweet almonds grown around the is...