Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Chickpea Polenta with Palermo-Style Frittola
A comforting, rustic Sicilian dish that brings together creamy chickpea polenta and the bold, traditional flavours of Palermo’s famous frittola.
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 600 g chickpea flour
- ✓ 300 g Palermo-style frittola
- ✓ Chopped parsley
- ✓ Chilli
- ✓ Salt
📊 Nutritional Information
In the vibrant streets of Palermo, street food isn’t just a meal - it’s a piece of living history passed from generation to generation. Among the treasures found in the bustling markets of Ballarò and the Vuccirìa, few dishes are as iconic, or as evocative, as the frittola: a delicately spiced mix of slow-cooked meat and cartilage, traditionally served warm from a wicker basket.
This recipe offers a delicious twist on that tradition. By pairing frittola with a silky chickpea polenta, we bring together the bold, aromatic flavours of Palermo with the gentle earthiness of chickpeas. The result is a comforting, soulful dish that speaks of taverns, market stalls, and the irresistible warmth of Sicilian hospitality.
Whether you’re planning a relaxed lunch or a dinner with a story to tell, this dish brings a taste of Palermo’s street life directly to your table.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Warm the frittola in a large pan with chopped parsley and half a chilli, finely sliced.
- 2
Bring salted water to the boil in a pot. Prepare a smooth chickpea polenta, then fold in the frittola mixture.
- 3
Serve the chickpea polenta with frittola piping hot.
💡 Tips and Variations
For a lighter version, bake the frittola instead of reheating it in fat.
A squeeze of lemon over the finished polenta brightens and lifts the flavours beautifully.
📦 Storage
- • Allow the chickpea polenta to cool completely before storing.
- • Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 2–3 days.
- • Store leftover frittola separately in the fridge for 2–3 days.
🍷 Pairing
Serve with a glass of Cerasuolo di Vittoria - its lively, structured character pairs perfectly with the depth of the frittola.
Thank you for exploring this slice of Palermo’s culinary heritage. I hope this dish brings a touch of Sicilian warmth to your table. Buon appetito!
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