Luce e Limoni Sicilian Italian restaurant in central London celebrates the similarities as well as the differences between Italian and Sicilian cuisines.
Italian and Sicilian cuisines have a lot in common, but assuming they are exactly the same would be a bit like saying London and Rome have the same weather. They’re both wonderful in their own ways, but there are some important differences!
Sicilian cuisine is, of course, a type of Italian cuisine, but Sicily’s position in the Mediterranean has given its food a character all of its own. Over thousands of years, the island has been influenced by Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans and Spaniards, among others. You can taste this fascinating history in the ingredients and combinations found in traditional Sicilian cooking.
One of the most obvious differences is the combination of ingredients. Sicilian cooks make enthusiastic use of aubergines, tomatoes, citrus fruits, almonds, pistachios, olives, capers and raisins. Seafood naturally features heavily too, thanks to the island’s location in the Med. Swordfish, sardines, tuna, prawns and other fish have long been staples of Sicilian cooking.
There’s also a distinctive sweet-and-savoury character to many Sicilian dishes. The classic combination of aubergine, celery, olives and capers in caponata is a perfect example. Dried fruit and nuts can also appear in savoury recipes, reflecting the influence of Arab cooking.
Across Italy, meanwhile, regional differences are enormous. Northern Italian cooking often makes greater use of butter, rice and polenta, while the central regions are famous for ingredients such as pecorino, beans and good-quality olive oil. Further south, pasta, tomatoes, vegetables and seafood become increasingly prominent.
But the similarities are just as important as the differences. Both Italian and Sicilian cooking tend to start with good ingredients, which are allowed to do the talking. Fresh herbs, excellent olive oil, seasonal vegetables, quality seafood and carefully prepared pasta are all central to the tradition. Bread also plays an important role, whether served alongside a meal or incorporated into recipes.
And then there’s the philosophy: food is meant to be enjoyed. Meals are an opportunity to sit down, share dishes, talk, laugh and take your time.
At Luce e Limoni Sicilian Italian restaurant in central London, we love bringing these traditions together, combining the warmth and variety of Italian cooking with the distinctive flavours of Sicily. After all, why choose between Italian and Sicilian when you can enjoy the best of both?
You’ll find us at 91-93 Gray’s Inn Road, Chancery Lane, London WC1X 8TX
Call Us 020 724 23382 | Email Us flavours@luceelimoni.com
