Williams Sonoma Art Director Kathleen Korb took a trip to Sicily with our food development team to research the cuisine and design of the region. Here’s a glimpse into a day on their journey in Palermo, Sicily.

Mercato il Capo in the heart of Palermo. Photo credit: Kathleen Korb
While in Sicily, our goal was simple: to eat everything possible. So we attacked it with a two-day approach. First we spent a lively day shopping the markets and cooking with a Sicilian chef, and another day we followed a prolific street food guide, eating our way through the streets of Palermo.

Brassicas on the back of a farm truck. Photo credit: Kathleen Korb
With both days beginning at Mercato il Capo, the oldest outdoor market in Palermo, it quickly becomes clear that that the daily markets are the epicenter of all things food and community: a gathering place where locals come for a coffee, conversation and a bite to eat, as well as buy their groceries.

An assortment of capperi (capers), garlic and olives for sale. Photo credit: Kathleen Korb
Not only fresh food, but handmade foods, like salted capers, anchovies and sundried tomatoes are available at the daily markets.

Photo credit: Kathleen Korb
Every vendor has a specialty, be it produce, seafood or even artisanal cookware. The seafood offerings at the market are abundant and straight from the sea.

Chef Vincenzo Clemente, of Ristorante Cincin. Photo credit: Kathleen Korb
Our day with chef Vincenzo Clemente of Ristorante Cincin was as much of a cultural and food inquisition as it was a cooking lesson. Shopping with a local was a great way to meet some of the cast of characters that make up the market.

Sicilian pesto. Note that the cheese of choice in Sicily is Pecorino, not Parmigiano-Reggiano. Photo credit: Kathleen Korb
After shopping the market, we retreated to Ristorante Cincin and transformed our ingredients into classic Sicilian dishes. Pistachios are abundant and inexpensive in Sicily, and happen to make a fine pesto.

Handmade pasta with pistachio pesto and tomatoes. Photo credit: Kathleen Korb
In addition to a crash course in traditional Sicilian cooking, we also began to see that cooking is a lifestyle in Sicily: Time is not a factor in most cooking, because the act of cooking is as integral a part of the pleasure as enjoying the results with family and friends.

The author cooking in the kitchen of Ristorante Cincin in Palermo, Sicily. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Korb

Breadcrumb-stuffed sardines to pair with handmade pasta and a minerally Mount Etna Bianco. Photo credit: Kathleen Korb
After an incredible day in the kitchen, it was time to switch gears and hit the streets. We were in excellent—and very witty—hands with Marco Romeo, a food expert in Palermo and the owner of the street food tour company Streaty.

Marco Romeo, owner of Streaty, a street food tour operator in Palermo. Photo credit: Kathleen Korb
Inexpensive, traditional and generally fried, many of the typical street foods are the dishes that define Sicilian cuisine, like arancini (a fried rice ball stuffed with meat and peas) and fried sardines. A typical street food setup in the market includes lots of delicious fried snacks.

One of Palermo’s fried street food snacks. Photo credit: Kathleen Korb
Beneath the pretty towels at one food cart was braised and fried veal spleen and lung, often made into a sandwich called pani ca’ medusa.

Photo credit: Kathleen Korb
Our verdict? This recipe probably won’t be appearing in the Williams Sonoma catalog, but trying something new is always a good idea.

Photo credit: Kathleen Korb
Everyday life in Sicily revolves around a profound love and enjoyment of food and cooking. Having the opportunity to connected with locals, shop the markets and cook traditional dishes side-by-side was the perfect way to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of Sicilian cuisine and the important role it plays in Sicilian culture.
6 comments
would love the sicilian recipes
I would love these Sicilian recipes loved the looks of breadcrumb stuffed sardines and all of the others
Thank you for sharing all the photos. I have visited all of Sicily several times an LOVE everything about it. These photos make me want to go again.
Beautiful pictures that truly capture Sicily…. Palermo is a wonderful place to experience the Sicilian dream.
thank you for sharing,
Great to see this!!Would love to have the recipes you have.
I would be very interested in these wonderful recipes that you have.