EvainSicily

In these days Caltagirone is not simply the triumph of  pottery as usual, but it's also a lovely animated town by beautiful Presepi for all Christmas holidays With a combined ticket you can visit about 16 different presepi walking all around the streets and churches of the historical centre but my favourite one (and the best to me!) is not included into the traditional route. The Chiesa del Carmine is the perfect location for a marvellous Presepe by: This Presepe was exhibited at Christmas 1999 for the opening of the European   Parliament in Strasburgo It's a very detailed animated Presepe made in terracotta and canvas almost 80 sq.mt extended.

Marina di Ragusa

Among the innumerable recipes for Christmas, a traditional sweet taste of Sicily is 'A Giuggiulena (that is a kind of torrone/nougat  made with sesame). Here  the best  and simplest way to make a giuggiulena on your own!! source:   www.smileandfood.com  : Ingredients  x  6 : 1kg of sesame 250 gr peeled almonds 500 gr sugar 2 spoons of orange honey a grated  orange peel   Put all the ingredients in a pot with high sides and mix them slowly  on a moderate flame for 8-10 minutes. You'll start smelling the sugar caramelizing but don't forget to mix for other 2-3 minutes. Take the pot off from fire.  pour the content in an oven paper sheet  and cover it with another one Using the rolling pin spread  the giuggiulena till reaching a thickness of 1,5 cm Wait for  5 minute and then  cut the giuggiulena (don't wait too long before cutting it or you can't shape it easily) cut strips of 5 cm and then obliquily

What a nice present! the Blue Guide of Sicily with a personal dedication from the author /editor Grazie Michael...

Location: Church: St. Catherine from Alexandria - Donnalucata (Rg) Castle of Donnafugata (Rg) Restaurant: Villa Suri - Marina di Ragusa exausted at the end of the day!!

This is the way still old people call Palermo: 'a Capitale The Cathedral