Syracuse and the Sandwich Artiste

Its interesting to return to a place that you've been before. We had been to Syracuse last year on our way to Licata and had spent a wonderful 5 days anchored in the bay. This time, I felt I had no need to madly run around and see all the 'mandatory' tourist sites.

Its a funny imperative that you 'have to visit' x, y or z.  If we were at home, we wouldn't feel the need to tour museums or art galleries, churches or monuments EVERY day. In fact, one or so visit a month would be more like our speed. But during our first years aboard, we would religiously trek around to every site, ancient and modern, to see the history and culture of the Mediterranean. It was great, but a bit like eating plum pudding; after the first bowl, the pleasure declines exponentially with every additional mouthful. Even now, other cruising friends will still exhort us... 'You simply MUST see' this or that. So to feel free of this burden was a delight.

Sea-side Syracuse

The main square in Ortega, Syracuse

Very attractive old town, flanked by sea on both sides

The road are charming.

The obligatory church ...

Another Baroque masterpiece

Having seen all the hustle, bustle and cockle grockle, I could focus on other things. And there is one other thing that is outstanding in Syracuse, and that is food. Its a foodie paradise, starting with the markets that have gorgeous produce at quite cheap prices.

Fruit grocer in Ortega markets

Megan spoiled for choice

Everyone gets in on the act

But the exemplar of food in Syracuse is the 'Sandwich Artiste' (for want of a better name) who puts on a truely extravagant performance in manufacturing the most delicious panini I have ever eaten. We were plied with samples of salami, prosciutto, the most wonderful buffalo mozzarella I have ever tasted, and more. Women were complimented and wooed, wine was drunk, all while just waiting for our sandwich.

Another tourist wooed by the Sandwich Artiste 

Warming up with a bit of pomodore action

One panini, for the princely sum of 5 euro, fed both Megan and I for lunch,  so much so that we skipped our evening meal as well. I had to document this feat of sandwich wizardry, so here are some sequential photo's of the process.

The blank canvas ...

The salad base, with no less than 4 varieties of tomato 

The first types of cheese

and then the mozzarella

Squashed olives and prosciutto

... and wait, there's more! 

Final assembly, what a production

The end result was simply delicious. Sometimes, I think Italian food is designed to look good (like all Italians), but doesn't necessarily taste so good (like some other Italians). Well, this panini tasted every bit as good as it looked. So, we salute the Sandwich Artiste, and Syracuse, a food heaven. Spit even enjoyed the place, cosy-ing up to some local colour.

Spit getting chummy with the locals!