Stragusto! Trapani's International Food Festival

Buongiorno amici! We are now in the middle of July, which in Sicily means that Summer is now in full swing. As residents seek shelter from the 40 degree Mediterranean heat, the thousands of tourists now on the island enjoy Sicily's unrivalled selection of golden beaches.

July also means that it is finally time for Stragusto! Trapani's International Food Festival which takes place every year in July. This year the event will take place between the 22nd and 24th July in Piazza Mercato del Pesce, the city's historical fish market which offers a breathtaking panorama over the Mediterranean Sea.

Every evening from 7pm until midnight this beautiful location will play host to stalls selling an endless variety of delicacies, all created and cooked for you in the piazza. These foods include Sicilian specialities such as zeppole, arancini and sfincioni but also showcase a wonderful selection of cuisine from other Mediterranean countries. There will be live entertainment and music including performances displaying international traditions and customs. Wine connoisseurs will also have the opportunity to indulge in tasting at the festival's 'wine sensory analysis laboratories'!

The province of Trapani has long been renowned for its international aspect due to its status as an important fishing port, its vicinity to Tunisia and, like the rest of the island, its many conquerors throughout history. This has culminated in the creation of a fascinating local cuisine which is a fusion of the province's many influences. The area's most famous dish is fish couscous and the town of San Vito lo Capo holds a world-renowned annual couscous festival in September.

San Vito lo Capo is also famous for its beautiful golden beach which has just been voted the best beach in Italy for the second year in a row.

So, buon appetito amici ..... and just incase if you can't make it to this this year's festival, here is a video of Stragusto 2010 for you to enjoy -

A presto!

Debra
www.sicilianconnections.com

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