Sicilian wedding menu: be ready to eat A LOT of delicious stuff
In every country a wedding is considered one of the most important lifetime events, but obviously, it’s not celebrated in the same way everywhere. In Italy, and especially in Sicily, the wedding ceremony in most of the cases is associated with a religious wedding in church, that is celebrated around 16.30-17.00, followed by a wedding reception starting at 20.00.
Traditionally, a wedding in Sicily is an evening event.
So, how does a traditional Sicilian wedding dinner look like and what dishes does it include? Let's see together!
Wedding dinner timing
Usually, after the church, the guests are invited to the wedding dinner venue by 20.00. While they're waiting for the coupe to arrive, they will be welcomed by soft drinks and fingerfood appetizers passed around to guests on trays by waiters. These can include simple salted bites like olives, crisps and nuts, or include some cheese like Parmesan, sticks of mozzarellas and cherry tomatoes, salami, fried vegetables, and a refined selection of canapés.
"Boiled octopus, fried cheapeaks panelle and potato croquets, pane ca'meusa (soft buns with fried liver), oysters and fresh sea urchins"
Street food stations
Once the newlyweds arrive at the venue, they open the buffet of appetizers and typical streetfood corners. These are real gastronomic shows! Usually they include boiled octopus, fried cheapeaks panelle and potato croquets, pane ca'meusa (soft buns with fried liver) and may include seafood like oysters and sea urchins. Your guests will surely remember this part of your sicilian wedding!
Once appetizers are over, all guests are invited to take their seat and will be offered....other appetizers! A starter plate may include some slices of local marinated fish, shrimp cocktail, seafood salad and vegetables.
" Mini pastries will include cannoli with ricotta, baba’ al rum, lemon biscuits, different type of mousses and many other things defending on season and chief’s fantasy"
A first course usually consists of two first courses: pasta and risotto. You're not supposed to choose between them, but expected to taste both, as they represent the best recipies of local cuisine! Fortunately enough, they are offered by waiters from a large dish and you can always ask for a small portion!
A main course is usually a selection of two types of meat cooked in different ways and accompanied by vegetables or, more often, a selection of local fish and seafood with salad, served in one plate.
Buffet of sicilian desserts
Do you still have some place left in your stomach? Good, because after a short break you will be invited to assist the cutting of the wedding cake, and offered a selection of typical Sicilian desserts. And that's something you can't miss out! Mini pastries will include cannoli with ricotta, baba’ al rum, lemon biscuits, different type of mousses and many other things defending on season and chief’s fantasy.
Do you really think that now all food is over? No, there's still a traditional confettata! It's a table full of glass vases filled with different types of almonds in chocolate and other sweets!
Now it seems we've really arrived to the end. At this point some guests prefer taking a small cup of espresso, others go for digestives. Don't miss the occasion to taste local Sicilian amaros - strong herb vermouths that can be bitter or sweet, or dessert wines like Malvasia, Passito and Zibibbo.
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This is how a traditional Sicilian wedding dinner looks like, and all these courses are included in the standard wedding menu. I hope now you’re feeling a bit more prepared if you get the invitation to a Sicilian wedding! And, if you’re planning your own wedding in Sicily and this amount of food seems to you excessive, any menu can be totally customized according to your preferences! Just ask your wedding planner ;-)
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