Sicilian granita and its festival on the 2nd of June

1st and 2nd of June in Pedara

The 2nd of June will be the feast of the Italian Republic, in many cities there will be fairs, festivals and cultural events. If you are in Sicily you could take advantage of this day of holiday to participate in the “Festival of artisan granita” that will take place in Pedara on the 1st and 2nd of June 2019.

Pedara, a village on the slopes of Mt. Etna

The village of Pedara is not far from Catania, just at the foot of Mt. Etna between the towns of Nicolosi and Trecastagni. Especially in the summer months, when the temperatures in the city are very high, this village becomes a holiday destination or even a simple destination for short walks in search of some fresh air.
It seems that the name Pedara may derive from “Epidaurus“, a Greek city with the same environmental characteristics, but there are other hypotheses, one of which would make it go back to the geographical position “ad Pedes arae” or “Apud aram” (at the foot of the altar). The altar would be dedicated to Jupiter on the slopes of the volcano, perhaps the tower of the Philosopher or Etna itself.

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The Sicilian granita

The tradition of Sicilian granita has its roots in the Arab domination and is considered by many to be the “mother” of all the other granitas that have evolved in the rest of Italy. At that time there was a drink called “sherbet“, a fruit juice flavoured with rosewater and then frozen. Definetely a different product from the Sicilian granita to which we are accustomed today.
For Sicilian people granita is a “must”: it cannot be missing for breakfast or even for a light and fresh summer dinner at the bar. If you haven’t tried it yet this is the right opportunity to do so. In Pedara on the 1st and 2nd of June during the Festival of artisan granita you can taste all possible tastes: chocolate and almond are the most traditional, but there are also those who eat pistachio, coffee, lemon, mulberry or in various and varied flavors of fruit. Do not forget to accompany it with a good brioche ( the famous “brioche co tuppu” ) or even with a slice of fresh bread.

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Excellent granitas can be tasted not only at this festival but also in the best bars of Catania and Acireale, or at Acitrezza looking at the beautiful view offered by the faraglioni of the Cyclops Riviera, or also in Capo D’Orlando where it is famous the granita with the flavors of Nebrodi.
If you wish to discover these goodness and don’t know to do, rely on us, we will organize a private tour that allows you to stop in the main Sicilian cities, stopping at the best bars to taste a good granita with brioche!