In 7 days it is not possible to experience all that Sicily has to offer, but we did get a good taste of the southern part with visits to Modica, Siricusa, Ragusa, Ragusa Ibla and Scicli plus a few other spots. While none have very large populations, all have tightly packed residential and business areas.
Sicily is largely agricultural, fascinating considering the rocky terrain. Clearing the land must require back breaking labor and what happens to all those rocks? It appears that most become dry stone walls which mark plots of land and define boundaries.
Not all crops are out in the open. There are literally thousands of green houses dotting the landscape which I suppose allow year round farming.
Without question there is a lot of food emphasis in Sicily, and I loved the combination of flavors in dishes like arancini.
Food goes beyond what is eaten. According to our guide, food references are common to every day language. For example, being told you look like mozzarella means you have a very white body. Being compared to ricotta implies no muscle tone. A nice person is said to be sweet as honey and straight, glossy hair is like spaghetti. Are you getting the drift?
A real delight was learning that Sicily is known for cannoli, one of my very favorite sweets. I made it a point to have at least one each day and justified it by telling myself that I was walking it off! Can I tell you how good cannoli is when the shells are fresh made and filled with creamy homemade ricotta.
Another find is Modica’s chocolate made in the Aztec tradition dating back hundreds of years. It has a somewhat grainy texture and is not as sweet as most chocolate. The bars are said to be good not only for eating but perfect for delicious hot chocolate made thick by adding a dab of cornstarch. Hopefully, my chocolate will last long enough for me to try it!
A special treat at the chocolate maker was trying traditional mpanatigghi biscuits filled with chocolate made from carob. The prickly pear was a tasty complement that required special skill to peel without puncturing a finger.
Sicily does not appear to be as noted for art and architecture as say Tuscany or Rome, but it has its own unique character and flavor.
There is much to enjoy and for sure, no visit would be complete without a stroll along one of its beautiful beaches.
In a nutshell, these are some impressions and tidbits of Sicily. Next, I will share the important part of a Foodie Adventure, time in the kitchen.
i so appreciate your visit and the comments you leave behind
Lulu's Musings 
Yum, looks delicious:)
As good as they look!
Our graphics editor gained 10lbs reading this. She still has a lovely personality though. 🙂
Had to chuckle about the fact that they use food to describe many things….I did not realized that the terrain was more on the rocky side….looking forward to your “foodie post”….and must say that you wrote about some of my favorites…chocolate and arancini….
You would have been in heaven!
Beautiful pictures of Sicily. I’m happy I stumbled across your blog.
Thank you, do come again.
Wonderful!!!
Beautiful photos of a very special place and cannoli…WoW!
Wow, so great.
Linda, I loved seeing your tidbits of Sicily…cannoli is a favorite of mine and I can only imagine how delicious. You did really well to limit yourself to only one per day!
When I am home I’m going to try to make the shells. Keep your fingers crossed!
Wonderful pictures, I miss Sicily. Most of my family is from Terrasini, just outside Palermo. Growing up many of the older people still spoke sicilianu, it wasn’t until my first trip to Italy that I realized the language I grew up around was not “Italian”
Ah yes, I learned that Sicilians do embellish what we consider typical Italian.
Oh, those cannoli look so yummy. I am as white and round as the mozzarella balls! LOL
Thanks for sharing all the wonderful photos, Linda.
Thanks for making me laugh!
Learned so much about Sicily from you! My son-in-law’s roots are from there so I appreciate you enlightening me!
Love the food descriptions for people. That platter of cannoli really do look delightful! It’s great to experience an area instead of trying to flit about the whole country.
I kept wondering what food I would be!!
oh how lovely!!!!
Love your photos and descriptions of Sicily—–you captured many of the high-lights—-a wonderful trip !!!
Beautiful photos Linda, and the cannoli looks mouthwatering! I know you are having a wonderful time!
Jenna
A different experience in Italy for sure.
Love it!!!
Susan, I am so appreciative that you follow along.