CULTURAL ITINERARY: UNESCO
BETWEEN NIGHT AND POZZALLO.

The Terre dei due Mari hosts two important recognitions of Unesco: the one linked to the Baroque sites of the Val di Noto, where the towns rebuilt after the disastrous earthquake of 1693 preserve admirable examples of chiselling art and that linked to the Mediterranean Diet, included as Intangible Heritage Unesco in 2010. The Unesco itinerary revolves around the Cathedral of Noto, an undisputed example of Baroque art but above all a symbol of strength, tenacity, courage and stubbornness of a people that does not surrender to fate but reacts, fights and rebuilds, still more firmly than before. This splendid example of culture, history and art comes from a set of knowledge, practices and traditions that are also found in the way of eating typical of the Mediterranean diet. A food style characterized by a nutritional model that has remained constant over time, inextricably linked to the territory, to agricultural production, crops, harvesting, fishing, breeding, conservation, transformation, preparation and consumption of food. The territory between Avola and Pozzallo contains some of the exclusive products of the Mediterranean Diet. Olive oil, vegetables, fish, fresh and dried fruit are foods rich in beneficial substances, Omega3, vitamins necessary for development and physiological growth at all ages. Products that are part of the Sicilian food heritage, but even more so than the typical way of eating of the population of this territory. Ispica produces one of the most renowned carrots of Italy: the Novella di Ispica PGI (protected geographical indication). The production of this root, a mine of minerals and vitamins, runs from February to June. Pachino is the kingdom of tomato. Among the many varieties, the most famous and present on the international markets is the Pachino Cherry IGP, whose production is extended to a good part of the year. In Avola there are the most valuable almond cultivars in the world. The flowering (a real show!) Is limited to a few days at the end of winter, while the harvest takes place between mid-August and September. Among the most prized varieties, Avola Almond is the most sought after by confectionery and pastry of the highest quality. In Portopalo di Capo Passero and in Pozzallo, the fishermen's seaman makes the fish market truly fascinating. Mediterranean fish, mainly blue fish, is the main product of fish, rich in nutritional properties but above all mineral salts and Omega3. The extraordinary quality / price ratio makes blue fish the most consumed by the islanders. The most fished varieties in these areas are: sardine, spatula, alalunga, alletterato, lampuga, swordfish and tuna. Blue fish is a versatile product that adapts to a variety of recipes: from simple fishermen to more elaborate chefs. Since it can not be bred (with the exception of tuna), it is always wild, caught in the open sea and available all year round. Finally we return to the place where the itinerary started: the Cathedral of Noto. Sitting in front of this extraordinary monument, you can enjoy the nectar of the Gods sipping a sweet Moscato di Noto doc.

Source GAC dei due mari