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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.
MOST ICONIC Pani ca meusa
Trippa alla Fiorentina is a traditional Tuscan dish and a street food staple in Florence. The dish is made with strips of tripe that are simmered with onions, carrots, celery, hot peppers, and tomatoes. Once fully cooked and tender, it is served drizzled with Tuscan olive oil and sprinkled with grated Parmiggiano cheese.
When reheated the next day, it's said that trippa alla Fiorentina tastes even better. The dish is commonly flavored with bay leaves, but sweet basil leaves are also often added, especially during the summer. It's recommended to accompany trippa alla Fiorentina with a few slices of Tuscan bread.
MOST ICONIC Trippa alla Fiorentina
View moreArancini al pistacchio is a traditional variety of arancini originating from Catania and the area around Mount Etna. These rice balls are stuffed with a delicious pistacchio bechamel sauce made with Bronte pistachios that are grown near Etna. The filling is made with bechamel sauce, cream, and chopped pistachios.
Once stuffed, the arancini are breaded and deep-fried in oil until golden and crunchy. Salt and pepper are traditional seasonings, while cheese such as parmesan or fontina is a welcome addition to arancini al pistacchio.
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Sgagliozza is an Italian dish from Bari, consisting of rectangular (or square-shaped) pieces of fried polenta. The dish is made with polenta flour, water, salt, and oil. Once cooked, the dense polenta is left to cool and it is then sliced into rectangular pieces and fried until golden brown.
Sgagliozza is traditionally sold after the mass near the St. Nicholas Cathedral during the day of the saint, but it's also a staple during winter in the city, sold by street vendors and always served piping hot.
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.
Tramezzino is a popular Italian triangular sandwich made with chewy, crustless white bread and various fillings such as mayonnaise, tuna, prosciutto, and cheese. It is believed that the first tramezzino was invented in 1925 at Caffè Mulassano in Turin.
It soon became incredibly popular, especially in Venice, where it's often enjoyed with a glass of Spritz. Today, there are numerous varieties of tramezzini, and they can be found in cafés throughout Italy, although pre-packed varieties that can be bought in supermarkets are also quite common.
VARIATIONS OF Tramezzino
MOST ICONIC Tramezzino
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These delectable chickpea fritters are believed to have been introduced to Sicily by the Arabs who dominated the area between the 9th and the 11th century. Today, panelle are one of the most popular street foods on the island, especially in Palermo where they are traditionally served in a round bun with sesame seeds on top.
Best enjoyed warm, the crunchy fritters are typically drizzled with lemon juice and, for a more substantial snack, they can be topped with fresh ricotta cheese.
MOST ICONIC Panelle
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This traditional Sicilian focaccia is an oven-baked flatbread topped with an oregano-flavored tomato sauce made with the addition of onions, anchovies, breadcrumbs, and local cheeses such as caciocavallo, provolone, tuma, or ricotta. Sfincione is one of the island's favorite street foods, especially in Palermo, where street vendors are often seen driving around in their three-wheeled Piaggio Ape food trucks shouting "Scairsu r'uogghiu e chin'i pruvulazzu" (lit. little oil and lots of dust), referring to the crusty breadcrumb topping.
The name sfincione is derived from the Arab word asfanaj and Greek sfoungári, both meaning sponge, which this flatbread resembles in appearance and texture.
MOST ICONIC Sfincione
View moreTramezzino Veneziano is the Venetian version of the famous tramezzino sandwich. The sandwiches are made with two thin, soft, and triangular slices of crustless white bread that are generously stuffed with rich fillings, resulting in a puffy and domed shape that looks similar to a smile.
Mayonnaise is always used as a base, accompanying classic fillings such as tuna and hard-boiled eggs, ham and mushrooms, ham and cheese, mozzarella and tomatoes, or rocket and crab or shrimp. Modern versions also exist, such as salmon and avocado.
The humid climate of the city keeps the Venetian tramezzini extremely soft.
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