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Val di Noto is located in south-eastern Sicily, between the provinces of Syracuse, Ragusa and part of the province of Catania. It’s an ancient land with a strong agricultural vocation, mentioned by the ancient poet Virgilio and acknowledged as a part of the UNESCO world heritage in 2020.

Full of reliefs (the Iblei and Erei Mountains), this valley features canyons and “rivers”, created by resurfacing prehistoric lava; it includes and the eight municipalities of Caltagirone, Militello in Val di Catania, Catania, Modica, Noto, Palazzolo, Ragusa, and Scicli, all highly representative of Sicilian Baroque art.
The wild vegetation is made of the typical Mediterranean scrub, interspersed with crops, namely almonds, which have given this place a most unique and well-known scenic beauty

The varieties of almonds grown here include “Romana”, “Pizzuta d’Avola”, and “Fascionello”.
The first two, being self-sterile, must be grown together in the same plot to obtain the fruits.
Today, unfortunately, the area cultivated with almond trees has been greatly resized, seriously threatening the old traditions of the local farming world.

THE SWEETS

The Arabs were responsible for developing the great Sicilian tradition of sweet treats prepared with ground almonds, egg white and honey. The main almond-based preparations are “pasta reale”, “martorana”, almond milk, nougat, “mustazzuoli”, amaretti, and marzipan.

Worth visiting nearby:

The Baroque of Noto; the lakes of Cavagrande del Cassibile, and the necropolis of Pantalica.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)