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OT: Vacations

Spent just 2 days in Malta years ago and deeply regret not staying longer. Highly, highly recommend it.

As for Sicily.. It's been so long that I can't say I'm qualified to help. Probably one of my least favorite parts of Italy but still quite nice and worth the visit. You'll have a nice time.
 
BTW Mdina is one of my favourite spots in Malta - its a completely walled medieval city that is completely original with no modern additions. If you're into cathedrals and stuff like that the one in Mdina and the capital Valletta are both incredible.
 
i'm biased cuz mama was born in Catania. The fish market there is a must and one of the best you'll ever see (and is much more than just a fish market). and of course Catania is right there under Etna (much of the city is built with black volcanic stone) which is also a must. If you have any interest in Opera, Catania is famous for Vincenzo Bellini one of the opera greats, and their Bellini Opera House (Sicily's most famous pasta dish, Pasta a la Norma, is named after a Bellini opera). and pay attention to all the elephant symbols in Catania.

Also, you should probably try the grilled horsemeat sandwiches available everywhere. Cavallo is tasty i promise. Wash it down with some great and unique Etna wines (it's own wine region).

I'll leave the rest of Sicily to others that know it better. One thing I definitely am planning on doing is seeking out the remnants of all the conquering civilizations that have run sicily in the past - muslim, spanish, roman. Sicily was basically Rome's resort island so there's plenty of that kind of history there.
 
This 3 part series is great - art&chef duo really made me want to search out stuff in the west and south of sicily that i've never seen.





 
One of my favorite parts about Sicily is how different it is than the rest of Italy. I mean if you even just compare cuisine from the north with Sicily you wouldn't believe it's even the same country. Lotta Arab, Greek, etc. influence there. It's mostly not my favorite food in the world but it's a nice change from the Italy that I know and grew up in. I guess that's the real charm of Italy for me. There's a fresh feel in every region.
 
you really gotta get your fish on in sicily. that's tough for me but it works cuz the fish is so fresh and cooked so well. hell even the raw shrimps at the market taste great. Anchovies are great (when melted into a dish base) of course but I still can't quite dig all the giant sardines they eat.

then again Pasta a la Norma with ricotta salada is probably the best and simplest pasta dish in the world. that's mother's milk to me.

and of course Arancini and Cannoli are sicilian, and can't be beat.
 
I'm a big fish guy so while I'm not big on the preparation on most of their fish dishes, it's the star of the show there for sure.

I will say that I was convinced to have a fish stew there by a cousin. I told him many times fish stew is fucking gross. I had it. I was right. I enjoy a good stew, but I struggle immensely with fish stews.
 
There was a Chef’s Table episode on Noto in Sicily and I’ve wanted to go over since.

Pasta with eggplant is also one of my favourite things.
 
Preston said:
I'm a big fish guy so while I'm not big on the preparation on most of their fish dishes, it's the star of the show there for sure.

I will say that I was convinced to have a fish stew there by a cousin. I told him many times fish stew is fucking gross. I had it. I was right. I enjoy a good stew, but I struggle immensely with fish stews.
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agreed.
 
Preston said:
I'm a big fish guy so while I'm not big on the preparation on most of their fish dishes, it's the star of the show there for sure.

I will say that I was convinced to have a fish stew there by a cousin. I told him many times fish stew is fucking gross. I had it. I was right. I enjoy a good stew, but I struggle immensely with fish stews.
Click to expand...

Fish stews are almost wall to wall terrible. As a good stew afficionado, I'm willing to admit that. The one major acception is chowders, which are a sub species of the mighty stew, and is usually delicious.
 
Preston said:
I'm a big fish guy so while I'm not big on the preparation on most of their fish dishes, it's the star of the show there for sure.

I will say that I was convinced to have a fish stew there by a cousin. I told him many times fish stew is fucking gross. I had it. I was right. I enjoy a good stew, but I struggle immensely with fish stews.
Click to expand...
what are your thoughts on chowder?
 
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