A quest for quadrelli

A quest for quadrelli
Canicattì (AG)
Magazine: February 2008

Canicattì boasts a worldwide famous characteristic. Quite simply, it has an amazing location because it stands proudly on the most fertile border of hills in southwest Sicily. Numerous archaeological and architectural testimonies date back to different historical eras. The ancient Bonanno castle is maybe the main attraction. The evocative via di li ‘ncantisimi leads to piazza Roma, heart of Borgalino, historical quarter of the city. The rich architectural and religious heritage is of signifi cant interest. San Pancrazio, the main church shows off renaissance style in all its splendour. Canicattì represents one of the most active commercial centres of the whole of the Agrigento with its small industries and fruit, veg and cattle market. Nowadays, the vine is the prevalent cultivation (in fact, the city’s economy has rapidly lifted off with the production and commercialisation of the “Italia” table grape).

Time for dining...
The Canicatti cuisine is rich in variety due to the dominant infl uences that have befallen on the territory. It is suffi ce to pause at the ‘La Badia’ restaurant in the top section of the city. Just to name a few of the specialities, omelettes, chick pea soup, caponata, tripe, prickly pear with honey and pistachio. Amongst the starters, panelle (chick pea fritters) rule supreme together typical vegetables: cardoons, artichokes, sun dried tomatoes. For the fi rst course: pasta alla Norma or with sardines and aubergine roulades. For main courses: succulent grilled meats. If you have room for dessert: almond paste biscuits or croccantini. The most typical are the square shaped “quadrelli”, made from almonds, sugar and pistachio.