In San Vito Lo Capo for cous cous festival
The scenery is not enough; extraordinary seafood is enjoyed here.
Where is
What it is and where it is
San Vito Lo Capo is a charming fishing port of eighteenth-century foundation, well protected by the promontory that concludes the eastern coast of the Gulf of Castellammare. Documented as early as Roman times, it was one of the most favorable places to intercept schools of bluefin tuna that, coming from the Atlantic Ocean, lapped the Sicilian coast. With the era of tuna fishing gone, San Vito has found an alternative in beach tourism, having a wonderful beach designed in a crescent shape against the backdrop of Mount Monaco.
Why it is special
Another attraction of San Vito is cous cous, a traditional North African recipe based on durum wheat semolina, interpreted in a local fish-based key. Originating as a humble dockside dish, over time cous cous has risen to become a true local specialty. The varied fish is prepared in soup form and shredded. Meanwhile, the semolina is prepared, steaming it with the appropriate flavorings. Half of the fish is to be mixed with the cous cous, wetting with part of the strained broth; the other half is brought to the table.
Not to be missed
A unique opportunity to experience this dish is the Cous Cous Fest, which in the second half of September sees the arrival of specialists from all over the Mediterranean with recipes of the most varied nature, traditional and creative. Over the years this festival has become one of the main attractions of the Sicilian summer, mixing gastronomy and entertainment in a truly unique multiethnic context. Notwithstanding the fact that the cous cous season actually lasts as long as the bathing season on the table of the local locals.
A bit of history
The presence of a North African dish like cous cous in the island's gastronomic tradition can be explained by the historical contacts of Sicilian and Tunisian navies. This concerns above all the Trapanese area, where in recent years this dish in its fish version has become a real tourist attraction: it can be found as much in Mazara del Vallo, on the southern coast of the island, as in Erice, in the first hinterland of Trapani, but the locality that has made it its gastronomic flag is San Vito Lo Capo.
Trivia
Fish cous cous is a simple and healthy dish, yet it encourages the consumption of the area's excellent white wines. Before setting out on the road home, therefore, a walk to the lighthouse, the historic symbol of San Vito, is recommended: active since 1859, 43 meters high, it spreads its cone of white light for 25 nautical miles all around, from the sea to the reliefs of the first hinterland, which emerge for a moment from the darkness, forming an evocative luminous setting.
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