[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_image admin_label=”Image” show_in_lightbox=”off” url_new_window=”off” use_overlay=”off” animation=”left” sticky=”off” align=”left” force_fullwidth=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” src=”http://[2600:1f13:e3b:9100:ae18:b451:18d2:e990]/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/resize_IMG_6629.jpg” /][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]

When we started planning this trip, I began to research when and where certain fruits and vegetables were going to be in season. Sicily was the place for pistachios and oranges; and apparently April was the end of blood orange season in Siracusa. We found piles of lovely regular oranges in the markets of Catania but I was waiting until Siracusa to buy the blood oranges.

The Southern tip of Siracusa is an area called Ortigia. A sort of island that sticks out into the sea and is the oldest part of the city. The market there was smaller than the one in Catania, but just as lively. The colours of the produce was amazing and the smell of herbs and spices perfumed the air. Again merchants were yelling over the crowds and apparently April is also strawberry season. “Fragole di campo” or field strawberry was the phrase of the day. We walked up and down market street many times consulting our list and comparing prices. Again our halting Italian was put to good use when buying our fish, fruits and deli products. We even had the fish monger clean our Mackerel. At the end of the street there was a deli that had an amazing array of goods. They had a few bistro tables outside and people were eating the most beautiful charcuterie plates and enjoying small glasses of sparkling wine; it was only 10am in the morning… who was I to judge… I sort of felt like joining them.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”Row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_gallery admin_label=”Gallery” gallery_ids=”394,402,395,397,396,399,400,403,404,411,405,407,408,406,410,409″ fullwidth=”off” orientation=”landscape” show_title_and_caption=”on” show_pagination=”on” background_layout=”light” auto=”off” hover_overlay_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.9)” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” /][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]