The ncannellati alessandrini from Alessandria della Rocca, in the province of Agrigento, are a delicious typical dessert based on simple and genuine products.
Sicily is one of the most popular islands for summer destinations by tourists from all over the world, which has always been considered a real paradise where you can spend unforgettable days between flavors, herbs and views that only this land is able to give.
The natural beauties, art and history of Sicily
Among the various attractions that distinguish this region, one cannot fail to start from its natural beauties. From beautiful sandy beaches to rocky ones, the Zingaro Reserve, Lampedusa, I'Island of the Currents, Taormina, Scala dei Turchi they are only a small part of what nature can offer in these parts and which, if possible, it is advisable to visit in less crowded periods, to better appreciate all the peculiarities
The less sea lovers can instead count on the wonders of the Sicilian hinterland that it offers natural reserves of absolute beauty like the Madonie Park and Nebrodi Park.
Not to mention what is the main attraction for many tourists who choose to visit the island, namely the Etna, the largest volcano in Europe, still active which during its eruptions offers scenarios in which wonder takes over fear, especially during nocturnal eruptions. Less sought after, but equally decidedly fascinating is the volcano of Stromboli.
If natural beauties are an excellent reason to visit Sicily the art and history that accompany this land will capture all your curiosity. Over time, due to its strategic position, Sicily has been the territory of many colonie, among the most famous Phoenician, Greek, Roman, Arab, Norman, Spanish and French.
This has contributed to transforming Sicily into a sort of open-air showcase of the various artistic influences that these peoples have handed down and which are still appreciable thanks to eternal masterpieces such as Valley of the Temples in Agrigento or the Roman villa in Piazza Armerina, just to name a few; visiting the city of Palermo instead the Arab-Norman influence that distinguishes it is very clear, unlike another wonderful city like Ragusa which he tells in everything and for the whole period Baroque of Sicily.
Sicily on the table: ncannellati from Alessandria
La culinary tradition of Sicily perhaps represents one of the excellences worldwide, both for salty and sweet lovers, there are numerous recipes that this region has made famous in the world: from pasta with sardines to baked pasta; from eggplant caponata to palermitana rolls, its arancine, panelle, pani ca meusa, sfincione and much more.
For the sweet tooth, between cannoli e Sicilian cassata, it is possible to try a dessert, perhaps less known than those just mentioned, but absolutely valuable: it is the ncannellati Alexandrians, typical sweet of the province of Agrigento which sees its origins in the country of Alessandria della Rocca. Like many other Sicilian recipes, that of the Alessandrini ncannellati is also based on products simple e genuine, we are faced, it should be reiterated, with a poor cuisine, which over the years has been able to offer what can easily be defined as culinary works of art, with just a few ingredients available.
Ncannellati from Alessandria, an ancient recipe handed down over the centuries
La history of this recipe is very characteristic and comes from the creativity of Sister Maria Cinnamon that to prepare a dessert for a prince, having few ingredients available, he decided to mix ground almonds, warm water, flour, sugar, yeast and ammonia; he obtained a cake with a very particular shape that he decided to cover with a mixture of beaten eggs, sugar and a few drops of lemon. The prince, remaining enraptured by this dessert, renamed it with the name it still bears today: Ncannellati Alessandrini, referring to the name of the nun who invented this recipe.
The peculiarity of these sweets typical of Alessandria della Rocca lies in the fact that they are prepared exclusively by the inhabitants of this small town; there prescription in fact it has been handed down for many generations, but it is difficult to make, due to its particularity. This is also the reason why compared to other classic Sicilian desserts it is much less known and definitely hard to find.
If what you want is to fully discover the particularities and the culinary traditions of Sicily the advice is to go to Alessandria della Rocca to taste this typical sweet, just a few minutes from Agrigento you will be able to admire what is a small characteristic Sicilian village and one of the most characteristic sweets in Sicilian history.
