Grande Albergo Maugeri. Gastronomy

Dedicated to food-lovers who enjoy good,traditional Italian cuisine. Local dishes are extrememly varied but above all, fish-based dishes, from pasta to main courses, are outstanding, due to Acireale’s position close to the coast. Acireale’s gastronomic creativity is also highlighted in the numerous sweets, cakes and ice-creams. A must is the lemon or almond "granita", a deliciously refreshing water-ice, half way between ice-cream and sorbet. Marzipan is a local delicacy, as are all the cakes with creamy ricotta cheese filling, for example La Cassata.

Sicilian sweet... La Cassata

Ingredients: 500g of Ricotta cheese, 200g sugar, 150g sultanas, 3 eggs, 100g of candied orange peel, 100g of mixed candied fruit, 100g plain chocolate, 50g choped pistachio, cinnamon.

Preparation: Put the ricotta cheese through a wire mesh sieve and then bend with 2 beaten egg yokes, sugar, small pieces of chocolate, orange and mixed candied fruit. When this is well-blended add the cinnamon and chopped pistachio nuts. Mix well and then pour into a buttered moud. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 C° (360F) for half an hour.