This is a very special place in a beautiful part of Sicily that often gets overlooked. Dramatic mountains, plentiful trees, winding roads and green farm fields full of cows and sheep surround the charming and unusual cottage where we stayed for three nights in wonderfully warm weather for November.
Francesco was helpful and prompt in the confirmation process and gave us clear info about our stay before we arrived, including multiple menu options for the cooking classes they offer.
Nino and Dina were our kind and warm hearted hosts for the stay. Nino met us in the car to take us down the track to the house and Dina was there waiting to show us around. They provided everything we could possibly need for breakfast the next day: fruit, coffee, tea, milk, eggs, cereal, jams, even a homemade cake! There was wood for the fire we lit every night and large gas heaters and electric blankets to keep us warm as the place can get cool in the evenings.
The highlight of the trip was undoubtedly our cooking class with Nino and Dina. We cooked and ate a seafood and vegetable based menu of around 7 dishes. The ingredients were exceptionally fresh - the greens we picked from their family farmland in the morning along with fruit from the pomegranate, persimmon and apple trees. We even got to hold a baby lamb on the trip to the farm!
We filled cannolis with the ricotta we prepared and drank plenty of wine. It was a magical day filled with laughter, learning and eating. Nino and Dina are a joy to be hosted by and we can’t wait to visit them again.