Shopping in Sicily - Top Ten Things to Buy

Whilst Sicily is not known first and foremost as a shopping destination, take some time to discover the local handmade crafts, excellent food and local wines, and it will be time well spent.

Thanks to a combination of the different cultures that have inhabited the island over the centuries, the mix of influences including Phoenicians, Arabs, Byzantines and Aragonese has resulted in a range of characteristic handmade crafts. Products from each province or town have an individual feel, yet retain a common tradition of high quality and craftsmanship. Today Sicilian products are in demand the world over and can be found displayed in shop windows in capital cities across the world, such as Harrods in London.

10 Irresistible Products

1. Fish products
Mullet and mackerel, speciality cuts of tuna, anchovies and sardines, preserved in small jars with dressings of every variety. These local products are a great buy to take home with you, especially if you visit the Marzamemi area. Take advantage of the international shipping services offered by many of the shops.

2. Preserves (Condiments, oil preserved, pesto and marmalade)
In every Sicilian household you will find a ‘boatta’ (or jar) of preserves, whether aubergine slices, stuffed olives, paté made with capers, artichokes, black olives or dried tomatoes. Also prevalent in the Sicilian store cupboard is pesto, especially the one made from the local Bronte pistachios including Nutella and cream varieties for the more adventurous amongst you. Finally try a local marmalade made from Sicilian oranges and lemons.

3. Cakes and pastries
Marzipan or almond paste made into fruit shapes, Sicilian cannoli, almond milk or almond and pistachio biscuits are just some of the delicious desserts temptingly displayed in the windows of the local cake shops. Don’t miss the opportunity to try Modica chocolate which is available in different flavours including wild mint, citrus, ginger, classic vanilla or cinnamon.

4. Liqueurs and Wine
Chocolate, orange, cinnamon, pistachio and almonds are just some of the flavours of the locally produced liqueurs that have been made here over the centuries. Also try the classic Italian drink, Limoncello, or even a liqueur made with extracts of Etna. Sicily is where you find the classic labels of Corvo, Planeta, Donnafugata, Firriato, Tascad’Almerita and Abbazia Sant’ Anastasia, all producing high quality wines that have achieved international recognition.

5. Sicilian Olive Oil
Sicilian olive oil is known for its strong robust flavour, used as a seasoning for meat and pasta dishes. It is not surprising that many of these oils have received the PDO classification for high quality.

6. Classic and Modern Ceramics
Caltagirone is the home of classic Sicilian ceramics, whilst the centre of production today is Sciacca and Santa Stefano of Camastra. Look out for traditional shops selling products made by traditional craftspeople.

7. Mosaics
Silica is the home of the Roman Villa of Casale, with its vast expanse of mosaic floors that remain largely intact inspiring the local population to continue with this craft. Mosaic making is catching on with the young people of the town today as they rediscover the value of this handmade craft, not only in reproducing magnificent artworks like those in the villa, but also the demand for more practical items like swimming pools, floors and picture frames.

8. Lava Stone
Used in bathrooms and kitchens, as floor tiles, on walls (both interior and exterior), fountains, fireplaces , stone arches and endless other products, this stone comes from the area around Etna and is a valuable resource for the local economy.

9. Traditional Souvenirs
On every traveller’s shopping list should be a high quality handcrafted Sicilian souvenir. For an unusual keepsake, consider a handmade puppet made by the Cuticchio family of Palermo or the Napoli family of Catania. Also of note are miniature objects and hats.

10. Sicilian recipe books
Displayed everywhere, from the tables of street sellers to the gift shops inside the classic monuments, newsagents and bookshops, you will not have difficulty finding a recipe book with regional dishes. Numerous versions are available in all languages, revealing the secrets of cooking in the traditional Sicilian way.