Sfincione, the Real Sicilian Tradition
July 5, 2011 by SicilyGuide
Filed under Food & Wine
A few weeks ago SicilyGuide posted this article about the Sicilian pizza, but I’d like to point out that Sicily’s pizza is delicious, but the real tradition – especially in the Palermo area – is the sfincione. The sfinciuni (in Sicilian dialect) is a bread based preparation of very ancient origin. The name is of Arab derivation and recalls the word sfincia which is a very soft and delicately spongy sweet. The sfincione dough is made with flour, yeast, water and a pinch of salt. The delicious
tomato sauce is made with onions sautéed in olive oil and seasoned with oregano. Tasty dices of cacio cavallo cheese together with bits of anchovies delight the palate at every bite. Sprinkled breadcrumbs on top give the final touch.
If you visit Palermo, the best way to enjoy this mouth-watering sfincione is to buy it from the street vendors in the outdoor markets or you can find the sfincione in bakeries and food shops.
Buon appetito!
Mmm…I can smell its fragrance.You can’t walk by the breadshop without tasting its delicious flavor.Tomorrow it’s a must…Sfincione!
What a wonderfully evocative post! Thanks!
My grandmother use to make this on New Year’s Eve. Her’s was thicker…a loaf of bread she stuffed with cheese and anchovies or Italian sausage.