Making Panelle
Sicily is famous for its street food and one of the most popular is Panelle which is a Sicilian fast food snack available in bars, from street vendors and are occasionally found in restaurants. Panelle (or panella di ceci) are Sicilian fritters made from chickpea flour and other ingredients. They are popular in Palermo and are often eaten between slices of pane (bread) or in a roll like a sandwich and as such become known as Pane e Panelle. A visit to Palermo would not be complete without sampling them. Although chickpeas (ceci) are thought to have been cultivated by the Ancient Greeks and Romans, Panelle themselves are believed to be of Arabic origin. Panelle means 'Little Breads'. In Sicilian dialect they are called Paneddi and they are known in Spanish as Garbanzos. The Panelle is made by pouring chickpea flour into boiling water with salt and herbs, typically parsley or fennel seeds and they are then cooked in bubbling hot oil for just a few minutes. Pa