For a perfect vacation in Palermo, you shouldn’t limit yourself to visiting the attractions or historical sites of the city; it’s also important to get to know the local traditions. For example, have you ever heard of “mangia e bevi”?
Eat and drink in Palermo
Most people may not even know what we’re talking about, but this tradition is indeed a symbol of local culture. It is a form of street food that has become very significant in recent years, a true attraction. What makes it unique is its ability to highlight, with great simplicity, the most ancient culinary roots.
Thanks to mangia e bevi, you can rediscover the flavors of local products, considering the quality, genuineness, and freshness of the chosen ingredients. This detail is especially important during spring or summer festivities.
Eat and drink in Palermo: What Are They?
To be clear, these are rolls of fresh bacon and shallots seasoned with salt and lemon at the end of cooking. Although traditionally grilled, they are also perfect for cooking on a kitchen griddle or in the oven.
The key is to ensure that the ingredients are of top quality, including the fresh bacon. The meat should be tender yet firm so that it remains crispy and slightly charred during cooking. The shallots should be clean and not too thick, with the outer and tough leaves removed to ensure they cook evenly with the bacon.
Here are the essential steps for cooking:
- For optimal cooking, turn the mangia e bevi multiple times over medium-low heat.
- Allow the bacon to cook evenly, as well as the shallots inside.
- Once the right level of cooking is reached (the bacon should be slightly charred), cut the mangia e bevi into pieces.
- Season with salt and lemon to taste.
Eat and drink in Palermo: Where to Find Them
An interesting fact about the name of this special dish is that it’s called mangia e bevi (eat and drink) because it’s traditionally accompanied by a good glass of red wine. So, eat and then drink!
In Palermo, one of the places where you can find this type of street food is Osteria Mangia e Bevi, located in Largo Cavalieri di Malta. It is open for lunch and dinner and even offers options for those who want to eat vegan.
