Sweet Treats in Palermo

The sweet treats of Sicily shine in Palermo.
Here, we have been constantly tempted by some of the best cakes, pastries and desserts in Sicily

Pasticceria Cappello, near the Porta Nuova gate, is in the perfect position for a quick stop after visiting the Palazzo dei Normanni or before catching the bus to Monreale.

Inside this unassuming shop are myriads of taste sensations

Pasticceria Cappello

Cappello are famous for their Torta Setteveli, the cake of seven layers named after Salome’s dance of the seven veils for Herod. A chocolate overload, it is made by alternating different layers of chocolate and hazelnut, mousse and a combination of these. Pistachio and strawberry cakes are also available but the chocolate is the best!

Strawberry, Pistachio and Chocolate Setteveli

Torta Setteveli

Cassatinas are smaller versions of cassata. They are perfect for one person to enjoy the taste of this sicilian cake made from sponge filled with ricotta and then covered with pistachio paste.

Cassatina

I love seeing the colourful marzipan fruits displayed.
Known here as Frutta di Martorana, the name originated from the Church of Martorana in Palermo when nuns from the nearby Benedictine monastery used these fruits of marzipan to decorate the bare trees in the garden of the convent for the visit of an important person.
The fruits are so realistic. It is hard to believe that this is almond mixture shaped and painted with food colouring to resemble the different fruits

Frutta di Martorana - Marzipan fruits

Other sweet treats at Cappello include

Crostatine di Fragola - Strawberry Tarts

I was also tempted by one of the tiny fruit jellies. Thank heavens for the smaller tastes that Cappello make. Pure fruit heaven.

Different flavoured fruit jellies

Love the packaging on the conserves

Chocolate and meringue

Not far from Teatro Massimo is another well known pastry shop, Mazzara

Mazzara is famous for their cannoli, so I had to try one!!
Cannolo is one of the most famous sweet treats in Sicily. I’ve never tasted a bad cannolo but there is something special about Mazzaras’ cannolo

Cannolo at Mazzara

Cannoli and Bigne

Which one would you choose?

Setteveli

Crostatine di Fragola - Strawberry Tarts

Let’s not forget gelato!
Enjoyed at any time of day, Palermo’s best are eaten ‘con brioche’

Mini strawberry gelati cones at Pasticerria Cappello

Gelato con brioche

Pasticceria Cappello
Via Colonna Rotta,68
Palermo
http://www.pasticceriacappello.it
Pasticceria Cappello

Pasticceria Mazzara
Via Generale Magliocca,15
Palermo

Pasticceria Alba
Piazza don Bosco,7
Palermo
http://www.pasticceriaalba.it
Pasticceria Alba

Pasticceria Oscar
Via Mariano Migliacco,39
Palermo
http://www.oscarpasticceria.it
Pasticceria Oscar

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The Cannoli of Piana degli Albanesi

“Leave the gun, take the cannoli”
After tasting cannoli in Sicily, I completely understand these famous words that were uttered in the classic film, The Godfather.

The cannoli of Piana degli Albanesi are just as famous. Famous for being the best cannoli in Sicily
They even celebrate the cannoli at La Festa di Cannoli where a huge cannoli of over four metres long is made.

Family size cannoli shell

There are no cannoli on display at the Extrabar dei Fratelli Petta in the main square, so I am confused.

Silly me! A pastry with a reputation such as this, is made to order.
I am taken to a small room at the back of the shop where it all takes place.
Pastry cases are pulled out as well as a large bucket of ricotta.
The ricotta is sensational. No sugar has been added and there is the lightest touch of chocolate.

Quickly put together and eaten just as quickly, they are indeed stunning.

When I ask how they are made, we are told to follow our noses down the street to find the answer.

It’s not hard following the smell of fresh pastry.
Inside the cannoli shells are being made.

The pastry is wrapped around wooded sticks to create the shape.

Popped into the deep fryer.

The sticks are removed and the shells stored until needed. Easy!

Happy with the cannoli, we move on to explore the town

The inhabitants of Piana degli Albanese are descendants of Albanian families that settled in Southern Italy during the Otterman era. They continue their traditions of religion, language and customs. The wearing of their national costume on festive occasions such as Easter is important to them.

The town is very quiet.

There are only a few locals in the square

Others are doing their shopping.

Peaceful Piana degli Albanesi nestled amongst the hills

Extrabar dei Fratelli Petta
Piazza Vittorio Emanuele 4
Piana degli Albanesi
http://www.extrabarpetta.it

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