CULTURAL EATING PATTERNS OF SICILY

Kristen George, Kristin Siano, Kaitlin Wescott

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS •Unique terrain and geographic location

• Invasions

• Racism from Northern Italy

• Mafia

GEOGRAPHY

• Largest island in the Mediterranean Sea

• Sub – tropical climate

• Primarily mountainous terrain

• The Plain of Catania: largest stretch of flat land

• Volcanoes provide fertile soil

INVASIONS: ANCIENT GREEKS

• 8th century, BC

• Cultivated resources for export to Greece and its colonies

• Primitive farming techniques

• Durum wheat, olive oil, honey, cheese, fruits, vegetables

• Classical ruins remain throughout the islandValley of the Temples, Agrigento, Sicily

INVASIONS: ANCIENT ROMANS• Became a province of the Roman Republic after the First Punic War

• Mid-2nd century, BC

• Maintained primitive farming techniques

• Increased food production and exports

• Durum wheat, olive oil, honey, cheese, fruits, vegetables, olives, salted tuna, wine

Mosaic floor in Villa Romana de Casale ,Piazza Armerina, Sicily

INVASIONS: NORTH AFRICAN ARABS

• 827 AD

• Armies from Tunisia landed on Sicily’s southwestern coast

• Most lasting cultural influences

• Advanced farming innovations

• Irrigation allowed for expansion of farms and establishment of new towns

• Introduced the cultivation of sugarcane, eggplant, short grain rice

• Introduced couscous, gelato, granita, and the classic cassata cake

MAFIA INFLUENCE AND RACISM FROM THE NORTHMAFIA

•Gained power in late 19th century

• Terrorized Sicilian citizens

• Taxed daily life

• Contributed to Northern Italian’s negative perceptions of Sicilians

NORTHERN RACISM

• Movement of industry out of Sicily, into Northern Italy

• Widespread perception in Northern Italy of Southerners being inferior, unintelligent criminals

• Due to the the many cultural influences of Sicily

POPULAR FOODS Grains•Durum wheat products

•Pasta

•Couscous

•Bread

•Short grain rice

Vegetables•Eggplant

•Tomatoes

•Potatoes

•Celery

•Assorted squash

Fruits•Citrus fruits

•Pomegranates

•Grapes/raisins

•Currants

•Almonds & hazelnuts

•Olives

Legumes•Fava beans

•Chickpeas

•Lentils

POPULAR FOODS Dairy Products

•Sheep’s milk•Ricotta•Pecorino•Tuma

•Cow’s milk•Caciocavallo•Ricotta

Meats•Pork•Beef•Lamb•Chicken•Sausages & preserved meats

Seafood•Tuna•Swordfish•Sardines•Anchovies•Crustaceans

Beverages•Wine•Espresso• Liqueurs

Spices•Basil•Fennel•Cinnamon•Capers•Vinegar

PRANZO• Mid-day meal• Businesses close and people go home for lunch

• Largest meal of the day

• First course: carbohydrates (Pasta or soup with pastina)• Example: Pasta a la Norma (pasta with eggplant)

• Second course: protein (fish or meat) and vegetable• Example: Grilled swordfish with stewed swisschard

• Third course: fresh seasonal fruit• Example: Oranges or berries

• Fourth course: Espresso

OUR PRANZO

• First Course: Pasta in Caponatina

• Second Course: Grilled Swordfish with Sauteed Arugula Pesce Spada alla Griglia con Rucola Saltati

•Third Course: Citrus Salad Insalata di Agrumi

•Fourth Course: Espresso