For someone who loves food as much as I do, the perfect vacation includes a walk through the streets of Palermo, Sicily. This August I was lucky enough to spend some time at the famous Markets of Palermo—La Vucciria, Ballaro’, Capo and Borgo Vecchio. I started my trip off at La Vucciria, an open-air market that, being true to its name (Confusion in Sicilian), is riddled with the commotion of buyers and sellers making exchanges in loud, boisterous voices. The Pescheria’s are filled with Fishermen displaying their fresh catches on long banquet tables filled with Swordfish, Tuna, Calamari, Anchovies, and anything else they may have found that day. Macelleria’s are home to the butcher’s finest cuts of meat taken from Sicily’s own grass-fed animals. The freshest produce along with the juiciest and ripest fruits are displayed proudly like a painted canvas in an art gallery. Stalls filled with dried spices, cured olives, rich cheeses, pastas, and locally-made liqueurs sprinkle the narrow walkways through the markets. This is the heart of contemporary Sicilian cuisine, the place where the traditions of years past make their way to the surface and where modern chefs come to gather ingredients for their next dish. The simplicity and freshness of the ingredients fosters creativity and entices the senses—bursts of enthusiasm fill every corner of these alleys. As I walked through this modern day bazaar, I found small kiosks selling local specialties that were ready for consumption—Pane e Pannelle, Pasta con le Sarde, Arancini, e Cannoli—a true tribute to the food and the people of the island.
The idea behind Piccola Trattoria’s menu, service, and hospitality stems from the core of Sicilian culture. We strive to bring the freshest of produce to our dishes and ultimately to the table. We may not have the luxury of strolling Capo or Ballaro’ each morning and stopping by our favorite Pescheria’s or Macelleria’s, but our relationships with our vendors have enabled us to continually increase the quality of our ingredients. We offer a wide array of dishes that use local and imported products, as well as desserts that take the best of what the season has to offer and creates sweet symphonies of flavor that are the perfect way to end a meal.
This October, as a tribute to contemporary Sicilian cuisine, Piccola Trattoria will be replicating some of our favorite Sicilian recipes. You will find fresh seafood, homemade pastas, and classic Sicilian desserts on our Specials Menu. We hope you’ll join us for an evening of celebrating the enthusiasm and hospitality that Sicilians have for their food.
For reservations call 661-299-6952 or visit our website at www.piccolatrattoria.com.