Bronte is not just the surname of a famous family of authors but is also the name of the town in Sicily that is well-known for one of its culinary outputs: the delicious pistachio. There are plenty of other reasons to choose a luxury villa in Sicily and enjoying the foodie delights of the region is one of the most important among them! Once you have found a villa in Sicily and are exploring the wonders of the island, including those of the culinary variety, be sure to head to Bronte to try some of the town's, “green gold.”
Located in the Province of Catania, the town of Bronte has a unique terroir that boasts fertile volcanic soil created by nearby Mount Etna and the Nebrodes and, as a result, the pistachios of Bronte are rather unique. Often referred to as pistacia vera, or, "true pistachios", they are intensely green, smell truly remarkable, and their taste is utterly wonderful and unmistakable. In fact, the pistachios of Bronte actually received official European Union P.D.O. certification in 2009, indicating them as a protected and prestigious food that can only be produced in specific conditions to earn the title.
Planted during the time of Arab rule of the island, along with peaches and citrus fruits, the pistachios remain and are now completely central to life in this town. Everyone eats them, all sorts of sweet and savoury dishes are made using the pistachios, and during the harvest every two years between late August and early September, men, women, children, and the elderly alike all come together to pick and shell the fruits. A uniquely magical harvest that harkens back to the involvement of the entire community that was an integral part of agricultural life in rural areas in the past, it only goes to show how important pistachios continue to be to the locals.
The Bronte pistachio can be served fresh or dried, it is used to make a wide range of different desserts such ice-cream and the much beloved and traditional cannoli of the island, it can be in local cheeses produced in the area, it is used in a unique local liqueur, and it is an ingredient in many savoury dishes like pasta served up in a uniquely Sicilian pesto made with pistachios and other pistachio-infused sauces that are poured over charcuterie and red meats. Annually, there is even a festival dedicated to pistachios that takes place at the end of September and the beginning of October called the Sagra del Pistacchi. Drawing thousands of tourists from around the world, this wonderful celebration of the town's most famous export sees stands from which local producers, farmers, and artisans display and sell their wares line the historic centre, tasting sessions of pistachio-based recipes being held, live cooking shows and events take place, local handicrafts go on sale from traditional makers, musicians and street artists hold all sorts of performances, and more. Basically, the whole town becomes one giant party at which some truly delicious foods are being served – sounds good to us!
So, if you are a really serious and dedicated foodie and you have found yourself a vacation rental in Sicily or a villa in Catania, in particular, then be sure to set aside some time to head to Bronte to discover the utterly vast array of different pistachio-based and pistachio-flavoured products to taste, savour, purchase, and to bring back home as gifts or to simply enjoy yourself after your trip. Quite unlike any other experience of this nut that you've likely ever had in your life, the pistachio from Bronte is a whole different breed, completely delicious, and definitely is not to be missed while you are on your holidays in this lovely part of Italy!
Planted during the time of Arab rule of the island, along with peaches and citrus fruits, the pistachios remain and are now completely central to life in this town. Everyone eats them, all sorts of sweet and savoury dishes are made using the pistachios, and during the harvest every two years between late August and early September, men, women, children, and the elderly alike all come together to pick and shell the fruits. A uniquely magical harvest that harkens back to the involvement of the entire community that was an integral part of agricultural life in rural areas in the past, it only goes to show how important pistachios continue to be to the locals.
The Bronte pistachio can be served fresh or dried, it is used to make a wide range of different desserts such ice-cream and the much beloved and traditional cannoli of the island, it can be in local cheeses produced in the area, it is used in a unique local liqueur, and it is an ingredient in many savoury dishes like pasta served up in a uniquely Sicilian pesto made with pistachios and other pistachio-infused sauces that are poured over charcuterie and red meats. Annually, there is even a festival dedicated to pistachios that takes place at the end of September and the beginning of October called the Sagra del Pistacchi. Drawing thousands of tourists from around the world, this wonderful celebration of the town's most famous export sees stands from which local producers, farmers, and artisans display and sell their wares line the historic centre, tasting sessions of pistachio-based recipes being held, live cooking shows and events take place, local handicrafts go on sale from traditional makers, musicians and street artists hold all sorts of performances, and more. Basically, the whole town becomes one giant party at which some truly delicious foods are being served – sounds good to us!
So, if you are a really serious and dedicated foodie and you have found yourself a vacation rental in Sicily or a villa in Catania, in particular, then be sure to set aside some time to head to Bronte to discover the utterly vast array of different pistachio-based and pistachio-flavoured products to taste, savour, purchase, and to bring back home as gifts or to simply enjoy yourself after your trip. Quite unlike any other experience of this nut that you've likely ever had in your life, the pistachio from Bronte is a whole different breed, completely delicious, and definitely is not to be missed while you are on your holidays in this lovely part of Italy!
