9 Best Street Food You Must Try In Sicily, Italy

1. Arancini (deep-fried ball with mozzarella)

One of the Sicilian streets food you should try during your visit is arancini. It’s a deep-fried ball covered with bread crumbs. The usual filling you’ll encounter is mozzarella. Occasionally, some vendors sell arancini filled with ham, peas, and caciocavallo cheese. You can easily find these products while walking around the markets and you can buy them for a small amount of money. If you want something quick to eat that will satisfy your stomach, this will make you feel full with just a piece or two.

2. Stigghiola (lamb or chicken intestine)

In Sicily, specifically in Palermo, stigghiola is a staple on the streets and it is mainly made of goat, chicken, and lamb intestines. Typically, these are wrapped with onion and leeks. They are available in various local markets and fairs, from vendors who specialize in preparing these delicacies. When buying them from street stalls, they usually come with lemon wedges as an accompaniment. Also, they are not messy to eat since they’re bite-sized pieces. To make these delicacies tastier, you can dip them in a sweet vinegar or sweet and sour sauce.

3. Cazzilli (small potato and pecorino cheese croquettes)

Cazzilli is a potato croquette that is a hit to both locals and tourists alike. It’s available at almost every street stall in the local markets, so it’s pretty easy to find. It is often paired with a sesame seed bun usually coated in lemon juice and drizzled with olive oil. It’s a lot like a sandwich, and it’s a pretty simple treat. The ingredients consist of potatoes, olive oil, pepper, parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley.

4. Salsiccia (sausage)

Commonly known as Italian sausage, salciccia is another street food that is popular in the streets of Sicily. These sausages are the same as the pork sausage added to pasta. The only difference is that Italian sausages are made with fennel and garlic. Also, if you’re a big fan of spicy food, you can indulge in some spicy sausages containing the same spices, but with a sprinkle of chili pepper. Italian sausages are popular with both locals and tourists because they are really tasty. Salsiccia is also used as an ingredient in Sicilian pizza.

5. Scacciata/scaccia (stuffed flatbread)

Spending a vacation in Sicily without trying all their delicacies is a waste. It’s a known fact that Italians love their pasta, wine, and bread. One of the goods that you’ll love, especially if you’re a bread lover, is scacciata, or scaccia. It’s a stuffed flatbread that traces its origins back to Sicily. It’s a folded, rectangular layer of dough that forms a pocket for fillings. Some of the common ingredients used are cheese, semolina, basil, and olive oil. According to some locals, the baker’s yeast is what makes the scaccia a delicious treat.

6. Pane cunzato (seasoned bread)

Pane cunzato is commonly known as seasoned bread, and it is a big part of the Sicilian food culture. Traditionally, pane cunzato’s seasonings are a combination of tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, anchovies, and Sicilian cheese. Over the years, sellers of this bread have created their own versions of the recipe. Some of the variations include capers, olives, tuna, and aubergines. The original version involves the use of a single loaf. However, the present pane cunzato involves more than one. It’s usually piled high with tomatoes and sausages toppings.

7. Pani ca meusa (sandwhich with veal and spleen)

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Pani ca meusa is another mouthwatering treat from Sicily. It’s a dish common in Palermo that consists of a soft bread seasoned with sesame. It’s usually stuffed with meat, chopped veal lung, and spleen that has been boiled and then fried in grease. It looks a lot like a normal burger but the taste is delightful. Originally, it was known as food for the poor man, but now it is steadily becoming more popular in the local food scene. If you’re a big fan of greasy and delicious food, you might want to give this a try.

8. Panelle (chickpea fritters)

Panelle or panella di ceci is a type of Sicilian fritter, which is normally found in food stalls in almost every market in Sicily. Panelle is believed to have originated from the Arabs. Its main ingredients are chickpea flour, olive oil, freshly ground black pepper, white bread rolls, parsley, and grapeseed oil for frying, as this dish is usually deep-fried. These Sicilian fritters are usually assembled like a sandwich. It’s affordable and easy to eat so you can munch on them while exploring more food stalls in the market.

9. Sfincione (pizza)

Sfincione is also known as focaccia with toppings. This local pizza is made of a thick flatbread cut in a rectangular shape and seasoned with a tasty tomato sauce, anchovies, and some famous Sicilian cheese. It’s one of the most sought after street food specialties here, and it’s easily accessible in the markets. One of the secret ingredients that make this pizza so delicious is the cheese. Vendors put two kinds: primo sale, a semi-soft cheese, and Ragusano, cow’s milk cheese. You can’t leave Sicily without trying this pizza.

Eat and enjoy the view

If there’s one thing to love about Sicily, it’s the food. This is one of the regions you must visit in Italy if you wish to try new and delicious Italian cuisine. Enjoy walking on the street, admiring the scenic view, and sampling a variety of tasty fares. To give you some idea on what to try, refer to this list of the must-try street foods in Sicily, Italy.