Today we had a much needed, fun and easy day! In the morning we hit up a ceramic factory where we got to see them hand forming and hand painting beautiful Italian ceramic bowls, platters and other pieces. We also got to visit their store in Palermo which was beautiful. I bought a few pieces for myself and am looking forward to getting them in the mail next week!
The driving in Palermo is ridiculous! I actually had to get an escort to cross the street because I was to scared to jump in front of the moving vehicles on my own. They assured me that the drivers would stop if I walked out in front of them, but I had a hard time believing that after I saw a guy on a scooter, driving with no helmet, with one hand on the wheel, one hand on his cellphone texting and weaving thought traffic. I also saw 2 people riding on a scooter, a man in front, a woman behind with a tiny baby precariously tied to her back with a scarf! The kids head was bobbing all around and she didn’t even seem to notice. I sure hope she tied that scarf tight!
Other then the ceramic store, the only other stop we made in Palermo was to see the giant magnolia tree. It was beautiful, but I would have loved to see it in bloom! Although we didn’t get a chance to do to much exploring in the city, they did take us to do some other sight seeing. First we drove to the top of a big mountain where we got to see panoramic views of the coast. Next we drove to the Medieval city of Erice where we had a chance to walk around and shop.
Lunch was back at the hotel for a lentil tasting which was really nice. The lentils were delicious and I really enjoyed the first three courses, but the fourth….Lentil Mousse with chocolate sauce and passion fruit coulis, I DON’T THINK SO!!!
I saw it on the menu when we first sat down and was pretty skeptical. It would take a pretty talented pastry chef to make that taste good. Hmm, maybe I’ll give it a shot when I get home. My husband will love that. “Honey, tonight I made you lentil cheesecake! Aren’t you excited!” Yeah, I’m pretty sure any lentil dessert that I make I’ll be eating solo!
When it actually arrived in front of me it was beautiful, and I thought “we’ll maybe” and then when the spoon passed my lips…….OH HELL NO! Grainy, sweet, and lentily. Definitely not my cup of tea. Good thing I had a nice big glass of grappa to wash it down with!
We had dinner with the group at a local restaurant where I sampled the regional specialties; pesto Trapanese and couscous with fish. Sicily was conquered by so many different countries, so the cuisine is incredibly diverse. We have tasted so many different types of dishes in the few days we’ve been here. I really wish I was going to have more time to explore because I feel like I’ve only had the first course of the 25-course tasting menu that is Sicily.
Anyways, tomorrow is our last real day here and I’m very sad, although also very ready to go home. I miss my husband and my family and my bed. Oh yeah, and work, I miss that too!! 
Until tomorrow, Ciao!
Megan
After graduating from The Culinary Institute of America with her Culinary and Baking & Pastry Arts Degrees, Megan joined the family business and opened Palmer’s Bakery & Palmer’s Catering. Megan loves cooking & entertaining, dancing, gardening, skiing, and spending time with her daughters and husband.
