Page 333 - The Rough Guide of Sicily

autumn of odd-numbered years. The nuts are widely used in Sicilian pasta dishes

(including a famously tasty shrimp and nut concoction), while not surprisingly the
town’s cafés do a great line in pistachio granitas, ice cream and other goodies.

BRONTE’S PISTACHIOS

The mineral-rich volcanic soil of Bronte produces what are considered to be the
best pistachios in Italy, grown in the exquisitely tended orchards that stretch around
the town. In fact, Sicily is the only place in Italy where the pistachio tree grows, and
Bronte itself is responsible for eighty percent of the production. There is no shortage
of places to sample the striking violet-and-green nut in town – and indeed throughout
Sicily; take home a jar of pistachio pesto, or a box of pistachio biscuits, or taste

either in situ at one of the cafés lining Bronte’s main corso, such as Conti Gallenti,
Corso Umberto 1 (Mon & Wed–Sun 6am–10pm; 095 691 165), an unassuming
little place that has changed little since the 1970s, famous for its pistachio arancini
and ice cream.

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