#sicilyinsideandout

[rochelledelborrello]

I love seeing so many small vessels gliding along the sea.

Everytime I've been to the beach this year I've seen boats zipping past or sailboats dancing across the waves.

There is something romantic about a sailboat holiday in Sicily. It takes you deeper into the azure coloured waters.

The appeal to me is the old cliche of simply sailing off into the sunset.

I guess after all of the lockdown the notion of being free to sail off to another island or to Greece, Marocco, Croatia, Ibiza, Barcelona, Sardinia, Corsica, Malta or any other place I wish, seems heavenly.

[rochelledelborrello]

Italy is out of lockdown and it feels like we've been through a long and difficult hibernation.

We are able to visit other towns, most stores are opened and we can go out to eat keeping up with the new social distancing regulations.

This week travel between different regions was opened and travel within Europe is now possible.

After losing simple liberties overnight like being able to go for a drive to other cities, school for our children, going to the bar for a coffee or saluting your friends with a kiss or a hug (this final one has been torturous for Italians- including me!)

It has been a terrible few months, but the sunshine of this island of the sun is bringing new hope into everyone.

Despite being ever cautious and vigilant (still no more hugs and kisses and social distancing is expected even at the beach) we are getting used to the new normal.

Looking forward to savoring the little pleasures the summer in Sicily brings. With the hope of getting all of our freedoms back including safe international travel.

I don't think I'm going to mind having Sicily mostly to myself this summer. I'm hoping most Europeans will stay home, I'll allow a few Northern Italians, they've been through hell this year.

But honestly just l

I don't think I'm going to mind having Sicily mostly to myself this summer.

Looking forward to some social distancing on the Mediterranean this summer.

Sicilian style...

[rochelledelborrello]

They built a port near our secret little Sicilian beach a couple of years ago. I thought the Port of Capo d'Orlando would ruin everything, we'd have hoards of tourists invading our coastline. But really nothing much has changed. A few more boats circulating around but the beach has been frequented mostly by locals.

This summer after coming out of Coronavirus lockdown number one (I suspect there will be other lockdowns in the future until there is a cure) we are simply enjoying the clear clean beaches for ourselves.

I must admit I'm kind of enjoying having the place to myself.

[rochelledelborrello]

Now this is my favorite all time Sicilian dessert, forget cassata and cannoli summertime is all about the Pesca.

Just like a juicy over ripe peach this delicate fruit made from two light puffy briosche buns.

Each half is filled with crema pasticcera and sandwiched together and covered with the delicate crumbs left behind after carving out their interior for the fresh custard cream filling.

The result is heavenly, delicate and as Baroque as any Sicilian dessert can ever be.

[rochelledelborrello]

My favourite Sicilian summer fruit is officially in season. The cute little squashed Tabbachiera peach. Also known as a doughnut or saturn peach.

It's small but packed with an intense sweet flavour, having them ripening in your kitchen fruit bowl will fill the room with their perfume.

The Tabbachiere thrives in the fertile soil around Etna and has a very short growing season. They are small, odd shaped and delicate so they are hard to transport which means most are sold locally.

Traditionally cultivated in the Sicilian towns of Adrano, Biancavilla, Bronte, Maniace, Mojo Alcantara e Roccella Valdemone. They are also common in the Marche region cultivated in the hills near the valley of the Chienti rivee near the towns of Montecosaro and Civitanova Marche.

Its skin practically peels itself off and its pale yellow interior has a complex taste, eating one is an intensely erotic experience I desire every summer.

A Sicilian Tabbachiere is unlike anything you will ever taste.