MAIN INGREDIENTS
A staple street food in Palermo, this simple sandwich comprises of a soft vastedda bun that is filled with strips of fried calf’s spleen and (occasionally) lungs. The star ingredient is the meat and the basic version, known as schettu, is only topped with a squeeze of lemon juice, while the only available other option is maritatu, which includes a topping of shredded caciocavallo cheese.
Believed to have originated in the 15th century, the sandwich is a favorite among the locals, but also a must-try delicacy for anyone who visits Palermo. It is typically sold by street vendors scattered throughout the city.
OTHER VARIATIONS OF Panini
MOST ICONIC Pani ca meusa
Frutta martorana are traditional marzipan sweets shaped to resemble fruits or vegetables. These treats can be found throughout Palermo and Messina in Sicily. It is said that frutta martorana originated in Palermo, in the Martorana monastery, where the nuns made them with a combination of almonds and sugar, shaped them like fruits, and decorated the empty, barren trees in their courtyard in order to impress a visiting archbishop.
Eventually, the treats were sold to parishioners and became a great source of income for the church. The tradition is still alive in Palermo, especially on All Saints' Day, when frutta martorana can be found at most pastry shops in the city, with new varieties of the sweets, some of them even shaped like pane ca' meusa sandwich, a traditional street food item from Palermo.
In Palermo, stigghiola is a staple street food item consisting of lamb, goat, or chicken intestines that are skewered or wrapped around onions or leeks. Prepared skewers are then grilled and served cut into small, bite-sized pieces. Originally developed as a frugal meal, stigghiola nowadays represents an authentic, local specialty.
The dish is typically sold by stigghiularu, street vendors who are found at various local markets and fairs, specializing in the preparation of this delicacy. When served, stigghiola is traditionally accompanied by lemon wedges.
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