Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Sicilian Canazzo – a vibrant Palermo vegetable medley
A colourful, sun-kissed Sicilian side dish from Palermo, made with gently fried summer vegetables and bursting with Mediterranean fragrance.
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 2 large potatoes
- ✓ 200 g ripe Pachino tomatoes
- ✓ 2 peppers (one red, one yellow)
- ✓ 2 round aubergines
- ✓ 1 large onion
- ✓ 2 courgettes
- ✓ 1 sprig fresh basil
- ✓ Extra-virgin olive oil, for frying
- ✓ Salt, to taste
- ✓ Freshly ground black pepper
📊 Nutritional Information
There’s something wonderfully reassuring about the way Sicily treats its vegetables - letting them shine with little more than heat, patience and extraordinary olive oil. Canazzo, a traditional side dish from Palermo, is exactly that sort of Mediterranean magic: humble ingredients, generous flavour.
This summery medley of aubergines, courgettes, peppers, potatoes and sweet Pachino tomatoes is slowly brought together until the vegetables relax into one another, creating a dish that’s mellow, fragrant and irresistibly moreish. Whether served cool on a warm evening or simply at room temperature alongside grilled meat or fish, it brings the easy charm of Sicilian cooking straight to the table.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Cut the aubergines into cubes, sprinkle with salt and leave them to drain in a colander for at least 30 minutes to remove any bitterness.
- 2
Rinse, dry and chop the peppers, courgettes and potatoes. Slice the onion and halve the tomatoes.
- 3
Rinse the salted aubergines and pat them dry with kitchen paper.
- 4
In a large non-stick frying pan, fry the potatoes in extra-virgin olive oil until golden. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
- 5
Continue frying the peppers, courgettes, aubergines and finally the onions, adding each batch to the bowl as it’s ready.
- 6
Season with salt and pepper, then gently mix the fried vegetables together.
- 7
Return everything to the pan with a little oil, add the halved tomatoes and torn basil leaves.
- 8
Cook over a low heat for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft and their flavours have blended.
- 9
Leave to rest for a couple of hours, then serve the Sicilian Canazzo cold or at room temperature.
💡 Tips and Variations
For a deeper, more savoury edge, add a handful of black olives or a spoonful of capers. If you’d prefer something lighter, roast the vegetables in the oven with a drizzle of olive oil instead of frying - you’ll still get beautiful Mediterranean flavours, just with a gentler finish.
📦 Storage
- • Keep the Canazzo in an airtight glass container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days.
- • Always serve at room temperature to enjoy its full Mediterranean aroma.
- • Avoid freezing, as the texture of the vegetables can deteriorate.
🍷 Pairing
This dish is lovely with a glass of a young, fruity Sicilian red such as a Nero d’Avola or a light Frappato, both of which complement the sweetness of the vegetables and the richness of the olive oil.
Bursting with colour and unmistakably Mediterranean, Sicilian Canazzo celebrates the sun-drenched generosity of Palermo’s cooking. Simple, wholesome and deeply satisfying, it’s the sort of dish that turns even an ordinary meal into something quietly special - best enjoyed with crusty bread and a leisurely glass of wine.
Rate this recipe
Click or tap the stars to rate
Potrebbero interessarti anche:
-
Fennel Caponata – a delicate and fragrant Sicilian twist Starters Side Dishes and VegetablesDiscover fennel caponata, a refined and lighter variation of the classic Sicilian favourite - perfect as a starter or Mediterranean side.
-
Bastaddi Affucati: Sicilian ‘Smothered’ Cauliflower for the Festive Table Side Dishes and Vegetables Christmas Recipes Quick RecipesA rich, slow-cooked Catanese cauliflower dish layered with olives, anchovies and pecorino - a true winter celebration classic.
-
Grilled Tomatoes with Herby Breadcrumbs - A Perfect Summer Starter Starters Side Dishes and VegetablesJuicy grilled tomatoes coated in aromatic herbed breadcrumbs - a simple, sun-kissed Sicilian starter ideal for any summer table.
-
Aubergine Caponata – a journey into Sicily’s most iconic flavours Side Dishes and VegetablesDiscover this classic Sicilian aubergine caponata - a rich, sweet-and-sour Mediterranean side dish perfect for any occasion.
-
Black Broccoli in the Pan: A Bold and Comforting Sicilian Side Side Dishes and Vegetables Quick RecipesDiscover this quick and flavour-packed Sicilian black broccoli dish - rich with cheese, olives and red wine, perfect with both meat and fish.
-
Caramelised Baby Onions with Orange Blossom Honey Side Dishes and VegetablesA delicate Sicilian side dish where sweet baby onions simmer in Marsala and orange blossom honey until glossy, tender and irresistibly aromatic.
-
Golden Pumpkin Caponata – the warm, sweet-and-sour taste of a Sicilian autumn Side Dishes and Vegetables StartersA colourful, gently sweet Sicilian pumpkin caponata - vibrant, tangy and perfect with roasted meats or aged cheeses.
-
Apple Caponata – Palermo’s sweet-and-sour classic with a delicate twist Side Dishes and Vegetables StartersA fragrant, lighter take on the traditional Sicilian caponata - this apple version balances sweetness and savouriness in perfect harmony.