Even those who are strictly watching their waistlines find themselves giving in. Woe betide anyone walking past the local bakeries and pastry shops—anyone could easily succumb to the temptation. And it is an absolute beautiful disaster if that sweet smell is coming from your neighbor’s house, as they lovingly prepare the famous sfinciuni, ready to offer you a freshly made tray.

What Are “Sfinciuni co’ Meli”?

Locally known as sfinciuni co’ meli (or Sicilian rice crispelle), these are traditional Catanese sweets prepared every year to celebrate Father’s Day (the Feast of St. Joseph).

At their core, they are simple fritters, but they are so incredibly delicious that countless variations have been invented over the years. The base is a comforting mixture of rice and milk, deeply flavored with fresh orange zest, which is then shaped and deep-fried to golden perfection. Once fried, these warm Sicilian rice crispelle are generously drenched in hot, liquid honey and, if you like, finished with a delicate dusting of powdered sugar.

They are a true delight for the palate, perfectly satisfying the cravings of any honey lover. And for those with an exaggerated sweet tooth? In Catania, there are no limits to culinary imagination! You can easily find modern variations of these fritters stuffed with rich Nutella or decadent local pistachio cream.

Resisting them is impossible—yes, even for you, reading this while currently on a diet!

The Sweet Gold of the Benedictine Monks

It is no coincidence that these golden treats are also historically known as crispelle alla benedettina.

During the 16th century, these sweets were a staple at the opulent dining tables of the Benedictine monks. But why the Benedictine banquets? In those times, honey was a highly prized, expensive luxury commodity. The wealthy monks could afford lavish meals, often prepared by highly renowned chefs who had the exclusive privilege of working in the grand kitchens of the monastery.

Today, this ancient dessert has beautifully integrated into the modern culinary landscape, becoming an absolute must-try staple of Catania street food.

Aunt Giusy’s Authentic Sicilian Rice Crispelle Recipe

So, what is the original recipe for these legendary rice fritters? While there are many variations passed down from family to family, I want to share the mouth-watering recipe of my dear Aunt Giusy. Try it to believe it!

The Ingredients:

• 600 ml milk
• 300 gr rice (short-grain or Arborio works best)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• A pinch of salt
• 60 gr sugar
• Zest of 1 organic orange (grated)
• 125 gr flour
• 10 gr active dry yeast (brewer’s yeast)
• Seed oil (for frying)
• Honey (as much as your heart desires!)

The Step-by-Step Preparation:

1. Simmer the base: In a large pot, pour the milk, cinnamon, grated orange zest, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
2. Cook the rice: Add the rice to the boiling milk. Let it cook over low heat, stirring continuously, until the rice is completely cooked and has absorbed all the milk.
3. Cool down: Remove from heat and allow the cooked rice mixture to cool down completely.
4. Make the dough: Once the rice is cold, dissolve your yeast in a tiny splash of milk. Add the dissolved yeast and the flour to the rice. Knead the mixture well until combined.
5. Let it rest: Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour.
6. Shape and fry: Once the dough has risen, it’s time to use your hands! Form small, snake-like cylinders (about 10 cm long) and carefully drop them into the hot frying oil.
7. The golden finish: Once fried to a crispy golden brown, drain them and immediately coat them in warm, softened honey (you can warm the honey using a double boiler).

Serve them with a dusting of powdered sugar if you like. They are a true, warm Sicilian blessing. Buon appetito!

If you are visiting Sicily, a Mount Etna excursion is almost essential: ancient craters, volcanic landscapes and breathtaking views create an experience unlike anywhere else.

Powerful and fascinating at the same time, Etna constantly changes its appearance through eruptions, lava flows and snow-covered winter landscapes.

For people in Catania, Etna is more than a volcano.

Many locals affectionately call it “Mamma”, because it seems to watch over the city while overlooking the sea, Messina and the Aeolian Islands.

Discovering Mongibello: the Mountain of Mountains

Throughout history, Etna has had many names.

One of the most fascinating is Mongibello.

The name combines the Latin word mons (“mountain”) and the Arabic jebel (“mountain”), creating a repeated expression emphasizing its grandeur:

“The Mountain of Mountains.”

Other historical interpretations connect the name to Mulciber, one of the names associated with Vulcan, the Roman god of fire.

Even today, many Sicilians simply call Etna:

“a muntagna” — the mountain.

The myths behind Mount Etna

Mount Etna has always inspired stories and legends.

Ancient civilizations often used myths to explain the uncontrollable power of nature.

The Nymph Etna and Typhon

According to legend, the nymph Etna, daughter of Gaia and Uranus, buried her half-brother Typhon beneath the mountain.

Typhon was a terrifying creature defeated by Zeus during a legendary battle.

People believed that every volcanic eruption represented Typhon’s anger as he tried to break free.

Hephaestus and the Philosopher’s Tower

Another famous story says that the volcano contained the forge of Hephaestus, god of fire and metalworking.

One of the most fascinating legends involves Empedocles, the Greek philosopher from Agrigento.

According to tradition, he threw himself into the volcano to prove his divine nature.

The volcano rejected one of his bronze sandals, revealing that he was mortal after all.

Today the Philosopher’s Tower (Torre del Filosofo) still remembers this legend.

The history of Mount Etna eruptions

Etna’s geological history is written in lava.

Some of the most significant eruptions include:

1329 and 1381
Medieval eruptions that frightened local communities.

1669
One of the most destructive eruptions in Etna’s history. Lava reached the sea and partially devastated Catania.

1910
An eruption that created twenty-three new craters.

1917
A spectacular lava fountain rose nearly 800 meters into the sky.

1923
An extraordinary event where lava remained hot for more than eighteen months.

Nicolosi: the perfect starting point

For many visitors, Nicolosi is considered the gateway to Mount Etna.

From here most excursions begin, allowing visitors to explore lava fields, extinct craters and volcanic landscapes.

The beauty of Etna also fascinated writers and travelers.

During his journey through Italy, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe described the extraordinary landscape stretching from Messina to Syracuse beneath the smoking volcano.

Many travelers combine a Mount Etna excursion with exploring Catania.

Why a Mount Etna excursion is unforgettable

Visiting Mount Etna means more than climbing a volcano.

It means walking through mythology, history and nature at the same time.

You are following the same paths imagined by philosophers, poets and ancient gods.

It is a ritual, a journey, a place where memories and everyday life meet.

For many people, it is simply a road crossing the city. For others, it becomes part of growing up.

My first memories of Via Etnea

As a child, I used to look at Via Etnea from a distance.

To me, it was where older girls went — the place of shopping, freedom and discovering the world beyond childhood.

Meanwhile, I stayed home with my grandmother, learning how to knit and listening to stories.

Then I turned eighteen.

And suddenly came my first real walks through Catania.

I still remember the excitement of taking the bus. Just thinking about walking along Via Etnea made me feel important.

I looked at shop windows even when I could not buy anything.

But it did not matter.

Being there already felt enough.

Places that defined a generation

Some places represented something bigger than shops.

There was Coin, Rinascente, and the legendary Joseph store.

For many people growing up in Catania, these places became small symbols of a particular moment in life.

Today many things have changed.

But the meaning of Via Etnea somehow remains the same.

Piazza Stesicoro: where everyone met

There was always one sentence:

“See you in Piazza Stesicoro.”

It became the center of meetings, friendships and spontaneous decisions.

For many people, Piazza Stesicoro was not just a place on a map.

It was where the day actually began.

The Botanical Garden and childhood wonder

The first time I visited the Botanical Garden felt almost magical.

I still remember an enormous tree that we used to call the chewing gum tree.

I have no idea whether it really had anything to do with chewing gum.

But as children, we believed it did.

And at that age, imagination was enough.

What Via Etnea means today

Today Via Etnea is still movement, growth and change.

But it is also memory.

Walking there means seeing tourists and residents sharing the same spaces, while Mount Etna quietly remains in the background.

The street changes, the shops change, people change.

Some feelings stay.

A tip if you are visiting Catania

If you are planning a trip, Via Etnea is one of the best places to start exploring the city.

It is not only one of the most famous streets in Catania — it is also a way to understand the city’s rhythm.

For a complete guide, read also:

What to See in Catania: Complete Guide Between History, Mount Etna and the Sea

People understand this almost immediately after arriving:

you do not simply visit Catania — you experience it.

Piazza Duomo and the Fish Market: the heart of Catania

A perfect starting point for discovering Catania is Piazza Duomo, the symbolic center of the city.

Here you will find the famous Liotru, the black lava stone elephant that has become Catania’s symbol, together with the beautiful Amenano Fountain.

Just a few steps away, you enter one of the city’s most authentic places: the historic fish market.

Voices, colors and strong aromas mix together every morning. It is not a tourist performance — it is everyday life.

Via Etnea: the street that tells the story of the city

Among the most important places to see in Catania, Via Etnea is essential.

This long street crosses the city from south to north, with Mount Etna constantly appearing in the background.

Walking here means experiencing everyday Catania: historic buildings, local shops, students, residents and travelers moving together.

If you want to discover the more personal side of this street, read also:

Via Etnea Catania: Memories, Daily Life and Stories

Piazza Stesicoro and ancient Catania

Continuing along Via Etnea, you arrive at Piazza Stesicoro, one of the city’s most fascinating historical areas.

Beneath the square you can see the remains of the Roman amphitheater — a reminder that modern Catania was built on top of ancient Catania.

Here the city suddenly changes rhythm.

Castello Ursino: medieval Catania

Another important landmark is Castello Ursino, built during the 13th century.

Once facing the sea, today it stands in the middle of the city after lava flows and earthquakes transformed the landscape.

Inside you can visit the Civic Museum and discover more about Catania’s long history.

Piazza Vincenzo Bellini and Catania nightlife

When the sun goes down, Catania changes completely.

The area around Piazza Vincenzo Bellini becomes one of the city’s social centers, filled with restaurants, music and lively streets.

Experiencing Catania at night is part of understanding the city’s personality.

Mount Etna: an experience you cannot miss

Among the best things to see near Catania, Mount Etna is impossible to ignore.

As the highest active volcano in Europe, it dominates both the landscape and daily life of the city.

From Rifugio Sapienza, visitors can join excursions through ancient lava fields, craters and landscapes that almost feel lunar.

Day trips from Catania: Aci Trezza and Caltagirone

If you have extra time, consider exploring beyond the city.

Aci Trezza is famous for its sea views and the legendary Cyclops rocks.

Caltagirone is known throughout Sicily for its ceramics and the beautiful Staircase of Santa Maria del Monte.

These places offer two completely different ways to discover eastern Sicily.

For another unforgettable stop near Catania, visit Aci Trezza Sicily: Things to Do and Hidden Gems.

Saint Agatha Festival

One of the most intense moments of the year is the Festival of Saint Agatha, celebrated every February.

For a few days, the city changes completely. Streets fill with devotion, traditions and thousands of people dressed in white.

It is something you do not simply watch — you feel it.

What to See in Catania: Quick List

If you need a short version:

• Piazza Duomo
• Via Etnea
• Piazza Stesicoro
• Castello Ursino
• Mount Etna
• Aci Trezza
• Caltagirone

Even one or two days are enough to understand the city’s spirit.

Final Thoughts

Understanding what to see in Catania is not about checking places off a list.

It means walking through a city that constantly changes its face — from Baroque architecture to volcanic landscapes, from markets to quiet churches.

Catania is not simply visited.

It stays with you.

There is one dessert in Sicily that is universally loved from east to west by adults and children alike. It is the absolute symbol of Sicilian pastry, a masterpiece with a history that spans centuries: we are talking, of course, about the Sicilian Cannolo.

While it is imitated and recreated all over the world, the true cradle of the cannolo is Sicily. A trip to the island simply isn’t complete without indulging in one. Whether you are a tourist, a student living abroad, or a traveler who stumbled upon this island by chance, there is no escape: the temptation of a fresh cannolo will eventually take over. On Magica Sicily, we’re taking you on a journey to discover this undisputed star of Sunday family lunches!

The Many Faces of the Cannolo: From Ricotta to Pistachio

Pastry shops across the island bake “shells” (the crispy fried pastry) of all sizes to suit every preference: from large, show-stopping cannoli to the mini cannolicchi, perfect for a small, sweet treat.

But what’s on the inside?

• The Tradition: The classic filling is made with fresh, sweetened sheep’s milk ricotta, often decorated with dark chocolate drops or candied orange and cherry pieces.
• The Variations: While ricotta is king, for those with a sweet tooth, there are plenty of other options: rich chocolate cream, traditional crema pasticcera (custard), and the incredibly popular pistachio cream.

The History of the Cannolo: Myths and Legends

Where does the story of the cannolo begin? Its origins date back to the Arab domination of Sicily.

A famous legend suggests a rather spicy origin story involving the harem in Caltanissetta (from the Arabic Kalt El Nissa, “Castle of the Women”). It is said that when the Sultan was away on political business, his concubines would experiment in the palace kitchens with sugar, citrus, and figs.

They are believed to have reinvented an ancient Arab dessert—a cylinder-shaped pastry—by creating a crisp shell filled with a sweet blend of milk, almonds, and honey.

A Cheeky Symbolism

The cylindrical shape of the cannolo is not accidental; it is said to allude to male virility. Perhaps it was a tribute to the Sultan’s prowess, or perhaps a goliardic joke shared among the women to comment, behind closed doors, on the majesty’s masculinity.

A Sicilian Wedding Essential

The cannolo is not only a family tradition; it is the absolute “must-have” at any high-end Sicilian event. The sight of a cannolo prepared express—filled right before your eyes—is an unforgettable sensory experience for guests.

Are you dreaming of an authentic celebration surrounded by the beauty of our island? Discover how to create an unforgettable experience with our destination weddings in Sicily, where every detail, including the finest local gastronomy, is curated to perfection.