The Allure of Sicily

Dinner Table Doctor and I learn first-hand lessons about health, life, and friendship in Sicily

Sicily is having a moment, and Dinner Table Doctor and I were lucky enough to witness this in person on an unforgettable trip to this beautiful island. The stunning landscape and the warm and resourceful people taught us several valuable lessons about what it means to live a healthy, happy life.

An Amazing Opportunity

Back in 2021, DTD gave me an unusual Christmas present. He “adopted” an olive tree in my name. The tree is located in Sicily and on the property of Three Farms Island, a small, family-owned operation located in Noto, Sicily. When DTD had the idea to purchase olive oil directly from Italy, he researched several different options. What attracted him to this particular business is the fact that they are part of a group trying to revive traditional farming methods that don’t use irrigation practices. Periodically we receive a case of high-quality, delicious olive oil from the farm. We also get updates from proprietors Fabio and Annarella, who regularly share information about the different crops and harvests as well as wonderful recipes. DTD affectionately refers to them as “our business partners” because they do such a good job making us feel like we actually own a little piece of the action.

You can imagine our delight when Fabio sent a message inviting olive tree adopters to the farm for a “workshop” where he and Annarella would lead a tour of the property, explain their mission and philosophy for farming in Sicily, cook with us, and show us around the area of Sicily they call home. Vacationing far away from home is so much easier when you have a connection, so we jumped at the chance to see Sicily with two personal guides who live and work in a part of Italy that we only knew through movies and stories from DTD’s Sicilian relatives. DTD and I, our two daughters, and a lovely young couple from Germany made up our group. This intimate, amazing experience was unforgettable. After the workshop, our family spent several days exploring other parts of the island and by the end of our vacation, we discovered that Americans could learn a lot from the Sicilian way of life.

Lessons in healthy living

Fabio and Annarella strive to grow the highest quality produce using regenerative and traditional farming methods, perfecting long-used, sustainable practices. They offer tours of the farms and farm-to-table culinary experiences where they use their produce to create spectacular meals that taste wonderful and are good for the body. While the experiences they normally offer on service platforms like Airbnb are for a single afternoon, this workshop was a three-day adventure where we spent nearly every waking moment learning about their philosophy and reaping the rewards of their knowledge and hard work.

Ingredients matter

I have never tasted food as delicious as the food in Sicily. Every bright tomato, juicy lemon, crunchy almond was like an explosion of flavor. Don’t even get me started on the bread and pasta! During our time with Fabio and Annarella, we picked tomatoes and capers and learned how they are preserved; we made almond milk and discussed how almonds can be produced without excess watering; we shaped our own pasta from scratch using simple and inexpensive ingredients; we visited other farms and restaurants in the area to see how Sicilians are using the land to create delectable, sustainable menus to please locals and tourists. We poured olive oil liberally, we drank wine, we enjoyed granita, and we devoured THE best cannoli ever.

As we explored other parts of Sicily and visited restaurants and markets, it was clear that Sicilians value superior ingredients and put much love into their culinary creations. Everything was fresh or naturally preserved and we could certainly taste the difference. Simple recipes with just a few ingredients burst with complex flavors because of the high-quality of those ingredients. DTD and I renewed our own personal commitment to buy in-season produce and to cook or preserve them for use out of season. This takes effort, but once you get into the habit you look forward to seeing what is in season and planning a recipe accordingly. Your body will literally begin to feel better, and you will begin to crave good and healthy food. Plus, it is so satisfying when you can grab a jar of peppers from your pantry in the middle of the winter.

People matter

I have written about the importance of connecting with others when it comes to mental health, and it seems Sicilians are aware of the benefits as well. Each day, in addition to spending time on Fabio and Annarella’s properties, they brought us to other establishments to learn about the Sicilian way of farming and cooking and the importance of sharing a quality meal with others. We spent a memorable evening at Sortino & Muriana Agricultural Society, owned and run by two sisters. They taught us how to make scacce, a thin pastry with a variety of fillings including fresh ricotta and fava beans, ricotta and sausage, passata and eggplant, and more. DTD and I do not speak Italian, and our generous hosts could not speak English, but they were still able to convey their love of the land they tend and the enjoyment they derive from sharing their culinary skills and watching people appreciate the marvelous meal prepared together.

Another evening, we visited a newer bakery and restaurant owned by friends of Fabio and Annarella’s. Pietro and Jenny recently opened Forno Piano Altro, named for the Sicilian translation baked in the oven slowly, carefully, little by little. Pietro said this was to show he uses the best ingredients and great care when creating culinary delights. We dined alfresco, sitting at cafe tables gathered on the narrow sidewalk. He served us many fantastic dishes, including some of the best bread we’ve ever had, but the most delicious and impressive part was pesce d’ uovo. The literal translation of this would be “egg fish” but there was no fish in it. It was a rolled frittata with fresh parsley and a fantastic homemade tomato sauce. Maybe they call it that because it looks like fish swimming in the sauce? I don’t know, but I can say it was absolutely scrumptious. Pietro sat with our group and throughout the meal other friends and strangers came and went, chatting, drinking wine, eating, petting dogs, and enjoying the summer weather.

Our last evening of the workshop was hosted by Sebastiano, owner of U Locale located in Buccheri Sicily. Since his restaurant is closed on Sundays, he generously invited us to a private dining experience at his second home which he literally built with his own two hands. He and two helpers created an astonishing meal of several courses, largely over homemade outdoor ovens which were fire grates on old oil drums with a chimney. Pietro joined us as well, and our group dined on freshly grilled zucchini and baked eggplant, homemade pasta made with flour and the leaves of cucuzza (Italian squash) and served with fresh tomato pesto, homemade ricotta on toasted bread, ripe peaches doused in red wine, and much more. It was an unforgettable experience. English, German, and Italian were spoken and, while we could not understand each other at times, we all laughed and ate with abandon. As the meal came to an end, we even got to toast the engagement of our new friends from Germany while we enjoyed our homemade cannoli.

Each of these unique experiences along with the time spent in Fabio and Annarella’s communal kitchen, reminded DTD and me that human beings are meant to connect with others. It is vital for our mental health. Socializing on a regular basis provides a sense of belonging and talking with others helps you gain different perspectives which can be refreshing. When you connect with others who have been through similar experiences, it can reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. This is true whether it is a shared positive experience like a meal or a trip, or a shared challenge, which is why support groups are effective for people facing difficult circumstances like grief, addiction, or illness. Sicilians definitely know how to connect and socialize.

Movement matters

The people of Sicily are a largely active bunch. Walking is a common activity and the narrow streets, historic town centers, and vibrant public spaces seem to be full well into the evening hours. People walk to markets, cafes, and plazas for socializing, shopping, and daily errands. Social life is centered around the outdoors, especially in the evenings when people gather in piazzas and outdoor cafes. It seemed there was live music around every corner. Plus, many Sicilians engage in agricultural activities, including farming, gardening, and vineyard work. Fabio and Annarella look terrific and healthy, probably because farming, harvesting, cooking and entertaining are physically demanding.

We saw Sicilians of all ages walking in the heat, climbing stairs and hills, gardening, shopping and cooking with smiles on their faces. The markets and piazzas were full of seniors, adults, and children until the wee hours of the night. Not only were they illustrating the importance of making connections, but they were also showing how walking regularly and being active affects your health. Those with limited mobility moved at a little slower pace, but did not stop. This active lifestyle helps with physical and mental wellbeing. It reduces stress, improves mood, promotes better sleep, enhances focus and memory, improves stamina and reduces fatigue. We walked so much every day and went to bed exhausted each night, but the streets were still bustling with people of all ages long after we retired.

Attitude Matters

Travel can be frustrating. You can let lost luggage or missed flights or any other unexpected event ruin a trip, or you can accept your fate and enjoy the time you have in a new place. You decide how you will react. This was a once-in-a-lifetime trip, so even though I experienced some major hurdles (I will devote an entire future post about my bathroom issues!), I could not let it ruin our vacation. I learned that I simply must cultivate resilience. When you approach a situation with the belief that you can handle it, you’re more likely to persist and adapt when things don’t go as planned. A resilient attitude helps you bounce back from setbacks.

I am smack dab in the middle of my 50’s and traveling is sometimes more difficult as I age. Standing for long periods in airports, walking up hills in the heat, being thirsty or tired, finding a bathroom, and dealing with the stress of navigating in a new place are all a little less easy than they were just a few years ago. Getting to Sicily from the U.S. took a long time and the entire trip was physically challenging for me. The fact that I was with my husband and our daughters being exposed to new experiences outweighed the hardships. If I have to buy a cup of coffee in order to use the bathroom, so be it. If I’m sweating like a dog and can’t shower because part of the island lost water pressure, I will survive. I just remind myself to keep moving, however slowly, and that the important thing was being together and learning about this remarkable island.

Even if you never travel, attitude matters. Life can be challenging. A positive attitude enables you to see challenges as opportunities for growth or learning rather than insurmountable problems. This shift in perspective helps reduce stress and anxiety, so you can tackle unexpected difficulties with creativity and flexibility.

Three Farms Island was the perfect example of this lesson. Fabio explained how climate change is impacting Sicily. Persistent draught, wildfires, flash floods and heat waves have plagued the island. This is why Fabio and Annarella’s mission:

“circles around growing good, healthy, and truly organic food while applying and seeking to finetune long term sustainable practices, not just grow products for maximum profit. We achieve this by looking back in history to identify solutions anchored in tradition which help us resolve our modern problems and which allow us to cultivate our lands with respect for wildlife and great attention to the regeneration of our soil.” 

They are using proven methods that may be more costly but are worth it in the long run. With each guest they host and each local partnership, they are facing the challenges of a changing climate with resilience and creativity.

Live like a Sicilian

Sicily is truly a magical place, and I wish we could have spent more time there and seen more of the island. Someday we hope to return. DTD and I are back in Ohio, but we will always have our memories of a wonderful trip and the lessons we learned. We are selecting quality ingredients and making simple recipes which are largely plant-based and seasonal. Plus, we still receive our Three Farms olive oil, and we are using many of the cooking methods we learned from Fabio and Annarella. We also share experiences and meals and wine with family and friends, walk as much as we can every day, spend time outdoors, and attempt to face unexpected challenges with as much resilience as we can muster. If you approach each day like a Sicilian, you’re on the right track for a healthier and happier life!

Not able to travel all the way to Sicily? You can still meet Fabio and Annarella virtually by taking one of their online cooking classes! They are extremely friendly and welcoming and will show you how to make flavorful dishes the Sicilian way. It is a great way to connect with others and to learn the joy of creating a nutritious and delicious meal.

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