White Almond Sicily

There is an important date around the corner and this 14th February, due to Covid, we will all have to enjoy Valentines Day, or in Italian 'San Valentino' in a different way to usual as there can be no romantic city breaks in Sicily and no romantic meals in Sicilian restaurants. So a cosy night in with a delicious home cooked meal it is then. Sicily is where Europe ends and Africa begins. It began its history as part of Ancient Greece and soon became part of the Roman Empire. Thereafter the island was invaded by the Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, French, Spanish and Bourbons before unifying with Italy. Each conquest left its mark on the island and its cuisine.  Being an island Sicily has wonderful fish and seafood and when eating a meal in a restaurant you will find that the fish you are eating was caught that morning. Sicilian pasta dishes make use of the abundance of local produce such as tomatoes and aubergines. You can find meat on most menus and in particular inland and mount...

"Happiness is like Jam - You can't spread even a little without getting some on yourself!" 'Summer Fruits' usually describes a mixture of summer berries, typically blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, redcurrants, blackcurrants and blackberries. We are still stuck in London due to Covid_19 and missing Sicily very much but one thing that helps getting over "Sicily Syndrome" (the sickness of missing Sicily. I made that up) is picking the abundance of blackberries from the bramble bushes that grow around the back of our garden in London.  But don't tell anyone they are my little secret. In any case they are well guarded by our dog Daisy.  I cannot remember these brambles being there when we first moved into our home but each year they multiply in size and yield more and more delicious plump berries.  In Sicily we do not have these kind of blackberries but we do have are mulberries.  Mulberries translated into Italian is Gelsi . It is not known how th...

If you are a couple on the hunt for a romantic destination you are in luck because Sicily is the perfect place. Italy is well known as a country full of love and romance and the island of Sicily is not only Italy's largest region but it is also its most varied. In terms of geography there are offshore islands, an endless coastline, rugged mountains, a stunning capital city, romantic towns, gorgeous beaches, volcanoes and dreamy hilltop villages, making it unlike any other place in the world. Sicily is a land full of myths, legends and romantic love stories. It is a place where you are immediately seduced by its outstanding beauty, gastronomic food, rich culture and the Sicilian people who are so passionate about their island. Romantic accommodation ranges from boutique, historic and luxury five star hotels, castles and restored  baglio 's (ancient Arabic fortresses), there are beautiful private villas, agriturismi, golf resorts and there is always the option of being...