A Sicilian lunch in the shade of the fig and carub tree ...

On the tail end of an epic Italian road trip {following roads less traveled from Toscana through Campania and Basilicata to Calabria} we eventually boarded a ferry to our final destination ~ Sicilia!
After a day of exploring Mount Etna's lush green valleys {& savoring the ultimate pistachio gelato in the pistachio capital Bronte}, we took in Catania, wandering its amazing fish market and exploring its baroque sights.

And in Catania we met up with our friend Luca for an exploration of Sicilia's South, stunning Siracusa and the Val di Noto, slowly making our way West - and eventually arriving at Il Paradiso, his family's enchanted summer house outside his hometown Mazara del Vallo ...

"Il Paradiso", a converted barn with a rustic outdoor kitchen and a stunning terrace surrounded by olive groves, was the perfect ending to a long, long road trip {a total of 4,132 kilometers!}. Lazy days in the shade of the fig and carub trees, finally unwinding and reflecting on all the travel impressions - but before all that, our stay started off with a fantastic welcome, a "pranzo domenicale con tutta la famiglia", an epic Sunday lunch with Luca's parents, sisters and brother.

We had only arrived at Il Paradiso the night before and barely taken in the stunning views with the first morning espresso, when Luca's family arrived, toting all the ingredients and produce for the preperations of an elaborate Sunday menu that will remain a highlight of our trip ...

the menu.

~ handmade gnocculi pasta with pesto alla trapanese { receipe here }

~ local bread and taralli

~ grilled salciccia sausages with fennel 

~ salad greens

~ fresh water melon

~ ricotta cheese with sweet vincotta 

~ fresh fried sfingi Siciliane