Palermo, Sicily’s agricultural and cultural riches have made it a mecca for food enthusiasts. However, the city is most famous for its desserts, many of which migrated to the U.S. with  Italians from the south of Italy and Sicily. “Sicilian desserts are the sweetest and most extravagant in all of Italy,” write Rick Steves and Fred Plotkin in Italy for Food Lovers (Avalon, 2023). 

What makes the pastries of Palermo so delicious? These pastries and desserts reflect the traditions of the many invaders who left their mark on Sicilian culture: Norman, Spanish, Arab, and others.  For example, the Arabs introduced sugar cane in Sicily, which became a thriving industry in Palermo.