Cooking Sicilian style

One damp April day Nick and I met our cookery teacher Patrizia on the steps of Theatro Massimo. We'd signed up for a day's cookery class with Patrizia in her apartment and the day started with a visit to a lovely local market. We were really lucky and had the class to ourselves that day.

We walked round the corner to the Mercado del Capo which is an outdoor

local market along a cobbled street. First stop was a fish stall to pick up fresh swordfish then we walked on down the street to buy anchovies and pasta. I loved it, the vegetables were so fresh and beautiful, there were vats of olives and mountains of cheese.

Hidden behind an unassuming wooden door is the stunning Sicilian Baroque style Church of the Immaculate Conception. Such a tranquil space just one step away from the bustle of the market. I loved it so much I went back the next day.

We headed back to Patrizia's flat and met her daughter Giluliana and their lovely kitten. He was great fun, he'd charge around until he dropped with exhaustion and fell fast asleep. We then spent a relaxing few hours cooking and chatting together. It was like spending time at an old friend's house and my favourite part of the trip.

Patrizia showed us a simple recipe to turn the swordfish into Involtini di pescespada.

We sauteed an onion and mixed it with fresh breadcrumbs, olive oil, pine nuts, raisins, lemon zest and placed a spoonful of the mixture onto the swordfish fillet and rolled them up. They were then tucked into a baking tray with slices of lemon and bayleaf and were ready for the oven. We enjoyed this dish with the caponata that we also made that day.

Patrizia then taught us how to make an anchovy pasta using a local strain of dill that has a gentler flavour than the dill I was used to in the UK. Last dish of the day was a cassata cake made with ricotta cheese, chocolate chips and tutti frutti.

Then it was time to sit together, eat, drink wine, chat. Perfezione.

Sicilian Days Cookery School