Under-the-radar Food Tour of SICILY, Italy - Sicily STREET FOOD + ITALIAN Couscous | Vegan Cultures

Did you know that a lot of Italian food just happens to be vegan?
In my series Vegan Cultures, I explore traditional plant-based food from around the world. In collaboration with ‪@SlowFoodInt‬ and with the support of Meatless Monday, this episode is taking us to Sicily.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
00:42 Pane e Panelle
03:34 Cazzilli
07:47 Pesto alla Trapanese
09:08 Couscous con Verdure
13:43 Scaccia
15:22 Buccaturedda
16:31 Scifitieddu
17:01 Vastedda
20:04 Modican Chocolate
26:45 Granita
Find all the food spots here (mobile only):
link.stepyourworld.com/hermann
We're starting in Palermo to taste some of its famous street food like Pane e Panelle (chickpea fritters in a sandwich) and Cazzilli (potato croquettes).
In Trapani, we'll taste a traditional pesto called Pesto alla Trapanese, which is served with the local pasta shape Busiate. Here, we also learn that Sicilians have their very own couscous dishes, which are a product of North African and Arabic influences. We'll taste Couscous con le Verdure, a delicious dish of couscous soaked in a rich vegetable stock and served with veg.
Afterwards, the journey takes us to Modica, where we find some local stuffed flatbreads like Scaccia and Buccaturedda filled with loads of herbs, tomatoes and aromatics, as well as a savoury pastry called Scifitieddu that is filled with Italy's best summer ingredients. And there's Vastedda, a simple fried dough snack.
Modica is also known for its very own method of making chocolate, a result of the Spanish reign during which cocoa beans arrived in Sicily. We'll see how the chocolate is made from scratch and why it is so different to any other chocolate you might have had before.
And finally, we'll visit Taormina to taste Sicily's famous granita with five different flavours: Strawberry, peach, lemon, almond and coffee. Plus, we'll learn that granita is actually a breakfast and sometimes even eaten with bread!
This series is all about the kind of food that just happens to be vegan - food that emerged from poverty, religion or foreign influences. As such, it’s the type of food that can be truly sustainable. It has already stood that test of time to prove that its core ingredients can grow dynamically in the local climate, while the dishes that sprung from it have been welcomed into the cultural fabric.
But often, these dishes get overlooked as plant-based options. So it's time to uncover the under-the-radar plant-based foods that exist all around us.
Let me know in the comments which culture I should visit next and what kind of dishes I might find!
Want to support my work? You can buy me a coffee: ko-fi.com/bakinghermann
SOCIAL
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Website: bakinghermann.com
Favourite Food Spots: link.stepyourworld.com/hermann
Thanks for watching!

[@tbloembergen]

I’m only half way and I love it so much, already looking forward to the next (no pressure😅) good luck to you!

[@BakingHermann]

Hero! This is all the motivation I need ☺ Thank you!

[@mammontustado9680]

I love how everyone is so warm to Julius. It's incredible how knowing how to speak someone's language makes them immediately like you 😊

[@MC-gt6yp]

So much education about the history of each recipe and the reason how it came about and processes- simply amazing! Thank you for this enlightening tour of vegan Sicily 💕👍

[@veggiveggie]

I'm watching from India I love vegan recipes 😋

[@japsowinkaur525]

Seven minutes into the video and I had to stop and comment on how much I love this video and channel❤❤❤ absolutely phenomenal 😍😍😍

[@ymc9694]

Oui c'est exactement comme nous bravo et tellement riche

[@claudialee9345]

I'm not sure how I found this but this series is just the best!

[@BUNNYSVINTAGE]

Stunning looking food and the preparation was just beautiful to watch, a lot of love and care. Merci from France x

[@user-mg9yw1uk5v]

I'm going to visit Sicily in March and for sure I'll follow your recomendations of places and food! Congrats for your channel!

[@jaymayhoi]

omg love this! the text, colours, pacing and everything is great - feels like im watching a documentary!

[@hollywebster6844]

I straight up drooled over the Sicilian savory pastries! 🤤

[@dragonfly34r135]

You are doing a fantastic job of presenting vegan food in cultural context. I love this first video and look forward to more.

[@BakingHermann]

That means a lot! Thanks for watching!

[@alicetwain]

I would like to point out that this isn't even perceived as "vegan" food. To us it's just food. Stuff we eat because it's good and tasty. I am neither vegetarian nor vegan, but around half my meals are lacto-ovo-vegetarian, and I eat 2-3 vegan meals each week just because... Well, that's food.

[@treelinktree]

I'm watching this because I just finished your 3 types of Tofu using lentils ( Burmese style tofu ) and your presentations are wonderful! Also, I agree with viewers statement it's just good food, I'm not vegan or vegetarian either! Great vids, thanks, man

[@98reivax]

Sicilia, the land of my ancestors. I hope to travel there soon, and try all of these things!!

[@kbplus1]

You did a wonderful job on both videos such high quilts I can’t wait to watch more! So Informational and I learn something which I love!

[@lazer_pauli]

Amazing video! Thanks for all these discoveries

[@BakingHermann]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@appdata007]

Love fr9m imdia ❤...being a vegetarian feels.so good to fi d people in iraly also eat veg food 🥝...too good 😊

[@eladan867]

Very good episode, so glad you can taste traditional regional food but vegans.🤩I do not like these modern vegan cafes and restaurants, they are all the same, some burgers, hummus and boring salads. 😝This is proper holiday food from the country you are actually in! Perfect. 👌

[@julianarodriguex899]

I love your content! ❤

[@MillerKevinG]

Fantastic! Thanks for all your hard work and joyous presentation! A delight!

[@wordsandtricks]

Incredibly glad that you're doing this in a long form format on YT, Hermann! Your short reels are fantastic, but this more in-depth approach with your commentary is a joy to watch. Happy eating & travels!

[@BakingHermann]

I’m so glad to hear that! Thanks! Yes, shorts wouldn’t do the complexity of those cultures justice. So this allows to go a bit more in-depth

[@treelinktree]

​@@BakingHermann yup Pure Joy

[@japsowinkaur525]

100% !! Love the long form videos

[@chelspapaya43]

Thanks for such an interesting video!!! I can’t wait to see more like this :)

[@mr.silhouette8452]

Im so excited for this series

[@BakingHermann]

Thank you!!

[@aniquadros]

I am surprised you don’t have millions of followers, found this channel today and subscribed of course.😊

[@sandymurray3997]

You took me to Sicilly with you.... Thanks for the tour....

[@stasjaclerckx3600]

Bedankt

[@BakingHermann]

You hero ❤

[@yassinedownpourz]

I'm an Algerian (: I must say I was genuinely amazed by the striking similarity in the couscous dish making process between our cultures.

[@BakingHermann]

Sounds like I need to visit Algeria!

[@RomeInside]

Sicily has a huge Arabic influence due to the domination through history -- you can see it clearly in the architecture and the food! :)

[@theteamxxx3142]

yes similarities with sicily not with italy

[@sandracarli1110]

@@RomeInside Yes! 200 years of Arabic presence. It was a mix of northern and southern culture because the Normans came from France to Sicily and also stayed for around 200 years so the cultures got well mixed.

[@IdontKnow-oo2dp]

IM KABYLEIAN AND I LOVED WATCHING THE COUSCOUS PROCESS

[@kamifaye]

So amazing !!! 💗🙏🌷 I hope to visit Sicily and now I have so many amazing cruelty-free foods to try 💓🥺 thank you !!!

[@ymc9694]

👏👏🙏🙏💕😻

[@danielaparaboschi4087]

Grazie per questo video! Saluti dall'Italia! ❤

[@ymc9694]

Félicitation c'est vraiment extraordinaire comme présentation Gracie mile😍😍😇😼 Bravo pour faire connaître tous ces plats sans torture sur les animaux Heureusement nous mangions en vous regardant. Ca fait envie.

[@vaishalipandey3221]

Everything was top notch...food and video quality....too good...

[@sensumcommunem4364]

Great presentation. That just looks delicious and heathy!

[@swordofdurga]

Seems, as Indians, the food will be very appealing, when/if we visit 😃

[@made.online2149]

My father from Canicattini Bagni is the only one of our family who has yet to go vegan... thank you for this insight! Hope to cook up some propaganda based on these dishes some day.

[@a7370]

Thank you for your videos. I will wait for new itailan street food videos🎉❤

[@isanewday]

WoW

[@Blueracebeing]

Wonderful video!

[@shitamachikko]

Thank you so much for this wonderful video that is truly priceless! So well documented, filled with discoveries. We can feel your passion and Sicilians' passion for their fabulous culinary culture. Learned so much and very interesting through and through. Can't wait to see where the next episode of this series will bring us. Auguri!

[@BakingHermann]

Thank you for the wonderful feedback, that's super motivating! And yes, there's plenty more coming, can't wait to share!

[@colleenmckinnon2421]

I love this!

[@kieranstyx3633]

Just found this channel and so happy I did. Ive been vegan for nearly ten years and we havent ever had content as good as this before. Between you, Derek Sarno, and a few others popping up on the platform in the past two years or so, it seems veganism is finally catching up in terms of good quality food/cooking content. It's really gotten me excited for what's to come.

[@BakingHermann]

This is incredible motivating to read. And I couldn't agree more. Plant-based food has some bad rep, but it's incredibly diverse and so deeply rooted in culture. Can't wait to share more and am super excited that there's interest for this. Thanks for watching.

[@Mrm1985100]

Really cool. Thanks!

[@danziger9996]

Wunderbar!

[@jihemprs7712]

I Loved this videi, the locals were so cute and full of passion

[@Nice-sm5hr]

You are simply an awesome KZbinr my friend

[@colsylvester639]

Wonderful video and the variety of food was so exciting, fresh healthy and I'm sure Tim Spector would approve too! I'd love to go and try my own home made pasta and chickpea dishes!

[@videosonlybycf]

Fascinating

[@BakingHermann]

Thanks!

[@user-iy5le2yv2b]

omg 😮 i want now to try all this wonderful food

[@junecheonsasarah2651]

You have to come Algeria for all the kinds of couscous and more

[@BakingHermann]

Oh I bet!!

[@dilsaliosatos8797]

Very good

[@user-kj8yf9dp7v]

It is an honour to see your passion for our food and it is wonderful to see it for food in general! Thank you so much for showing this, can't wait for the next episode :)

[@BakingHermann]

That's wonderful feedback, thank you! I'm glad you liked it

[@Mechstar1]

first 2 are similar to couple of Indian street foods. Cooking with steam in pan locked with flour and water paste is also ancient Indian/Persian technique called Dum Pukht. great series! Keep it up.

[@BakingHermann]

Oh awesome! India is on the list for next year, potentially!

[@Aasthamileyfan]

Your presentation is better than any TV Presenter with the most Posh Crew! Keep posting and helping Fellow Vegans ❤

[@Damur1968]

For the chocolate I thought you would have gone to Il Modicano, all their products are vegan ... I skipped the chocolate part when the guy mentioned meat 😕 Anyway, I live in Sardinia, you made me want to visit Modica 😋💚

[@ciambellina]

Good job! I am not vegan, but I love that you are sharing the cucina povera recipes. I don't get why ppl invent all the "meat like" substitutes when for ages the vegs were a base of everyday diet and there are simply delicious dishes you can wrap up without any animal protein 😊

[@BakingHermann]

That’s what it’s all about ☺️🙏

[@hummmusqueeen]

This is so wonderful! You take away my fear of travelling in small foreign cities as a vegan. I want to go on a food tour in Sicily now :)

[@BakingHermann]

I’m so glad to hear that! Yes there are so many dishes to discover. Can’t wait to share more ☺️

[@alicetwain]

In most of Italy you will find a lot of vegan (or at least lacto-ovo-vegetarian) options. That's not because there is a huge vegan or vegetarian population but rather because we don't build our meals around meat. Most of our meals are created around vegetables and carbs, so in most areas you will usually find several naturally vegetarian or vegan options just because that't the food we eat without even being vegan or vegetarian.

[@ingridchristinaderooij8429]

Such a wonderful and inviting food tour. Great to learn more about ancient traditions too. It's really nice to see how easy going Italians are about vegan food! I loved it! Looking forward to part 2 and more.

[@BakingHermann]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@BakingHermann]

Hi by the way 😂 only noticed the name now ☺️

[@teresafinoalchemy]

They don't even classify it as vegan. It's just their regular food.

[@aparnakarmakar4929]

Nice!

[@DasUmami]

Pannelle is almost Gujarati Khandvi.

[@DerekSarnoChef]

Dude this is fantastic! So cool to see other places I haven't been yet.

[@BakingHermann]

Thank you, yeah Sicily is something else!!

[@2002kwray]

Just finished this first episode and I loved it so much! You do an excellent job of describing the sensory experience of the foods you're enjoying so we can get an idea of the flavours ourselves. Can't wait for the next episode! ❤

[@BakingHermann]

I had my doubts about that so thanks for sharing that, means a lot!!

[@wobrote]

Amazing video man, so fantastic to see these naturally vegan cuisines combined with the Italian's hospitality and warmth. The part where Saretto Bambara keeps bringing you different dishes reminds me so much of my visits to Italy where I've mentioned I'm vegan, initially they may be a bit confused, but once they get it they start coming up with all these different ideas and bringing lots of amazing and unique dishes for you to try, delighting in your enjoyment. One thing for you to explore is the many preparations of carciofi in Rome (and throughout Italy).

[@BakingHermann]

I can relate so much haha! Had a similar experience in Florence where they kept bringing out dishes after the initial round of making jokes. Love it!

[@tessa_gi]

This video warms my Italian heart so much! Thank you! It was very beautiful and useful!

[@BakingHermann]

That’s a huge compliment coming from an Italian, thank you!

[@julianachandler2975]

Such a fun show. Thanks for showing us around Sicily.❤

[@BakingHermann]

Can't wait to share the next bits!

[@Aimeegargiulo25]

Absolutely love all your content and this is by far my favorite! Always watching with my 3 kids and we all love you ❤ Can’t wait for the next episode and hope you do many more like this!!!

[@BakingHermann]

Thank you so much, how wonderful to hear that! Oh absolutely, there’s many more coming

[@Alethiometer]

The soup you bring to a boil then simmer 2 hours, which STEAMS the cous cous, they make pots just for this unique way from Iran I remember it from 30 years ago and OMFG its was amazing all the time every time. But wait there's more all the fixings, pickled turnips ieieieieiieieei....I drooled

[@shybloodlover]

The quality of content on your channel is unmatched. I hope you continue to make more like this and give us these wonderful glimpses of culturally vegan food around the world.

[@sabv4094]

Maybe Indian Vada Pav has inspiration from this but not sure which one came first 😅

[@747rkl]

Really looking forward to the next episode!!! So amazing the depth and variety of vegan food culture in Sicily, one would've never expected it. Thanks for help keeping it alive!!

[@BakingHermann]

Thank you for watching, can’t wait to share the next one soon!

[@comfybeanie]

I’m so happy to see other types of foods in Italy (not that I don’t love the usual dishes we see in cooking shows recipes!) Also I’m not vegan myself, but it’s lovely to see genuine options for those are vegan or those are avoiding certain ingredients. Seeing you enjoy everything so fully is comforting, too. So excited for the next episode!

[@BakingHermann]

That means a lot, thanks for commenting!

[@michelleocean2716]

Absolutely adored! you captured the warmth of the people, sunshine and food made from the passion!

[@omroch]

Beatiful work Julius! Can't wait for the next episodes.

[@BakingHermann]

Thank you so much!!

[@netsimon88]

Simply wunderbar! :) I enjoyed every second of it. What great food and lovely people. I‘m so excited to watch the upcoming videos! Thanks a lot!

[@BakingHermann]

Thank you, can’t wait to share it!

[@MrJakson112]

Please do istanbul next 😍

[@hemangivashistha2864]

Its very close to Indian vada pao

[@gracebevill]

I love how this is edited and presented, and the food looks DELISH!! ❤

[@BakingHermann]

Thank you so much! 👏

[@punkmonk7475]

YAY! So glad to see you moving forward from IG 🙌🏼

[@BakingHermann]

Here we go 🎉

[@rose.a.burcheri]

Oh My gosh I love my culture and my upbringing. I also feel like I should change up my cooking as I cook Italian and primarily Sicilian food. Both my parents left Sicily separately at the age of 27 and met abroad where I was born. My husband and son don’t want me to change up my cooking too often. They can get all the other stuff elsewhere. This video is showing me a glimpse of why they keep encouraging me to continue. I have been immersed in it all my life. Different Italian & Sicilian people have taught me different dishes all my life. I feel so enriched and blessed. Both my parents were culinary gifted people. How lucky of me to learn from them all. Hopefully our son will continue to learn from me. We’ve spent lots of time, 3 weeks, eating across Sicily and Italy. He too thought he was super lucky to have such a rich and diverse upbringing from meat based to vegan deliciousness and has had a very robust palate. Thank you for your passion. ❤

[@BakingHermann]

This gave me so much joy to read, thanks for writing it all! You do have a culinary background you can be very proud of and I truly help that projects like this and people like you help to preserve the diversity of it!

[@rose.a.burcheri]

@@BakingHermann you’ll have my support.

[@misschong90]

Your content makes me so happy😊

[@BakingHermann]

Thank you!!

[@aanalshah]

Hermann! Thank you so much for exploring vegan options around Italy. Now I am going to make a list for my next year’s Italy trip. I cannot wait to watch other in depth videos!

[@StefanMarjoram]

Wow! I never would have guessed Sicily would be such a paradise of vegan friendly cuisine! I'm sitting here drooling on my keyboard. Such wonderful people too. I really hope I can experience it one day :)

[@meb3369]

What a great video! Love this

[@BakingHermann]

That means a lot, thank you!

[@komaljerawla5699]

Hey! This was amazing. Can't wait for the next video

[@BakingHermann]

Thank you!!

[@scienceislove2014]

Such a high quality chocolate 🍫

[@SofiaCalotti]

This was such a joy to watch! Very interesting and enthousiastic. I now want to taste everything as well!

[@BakingHermann]

Oh do visit! It’s well worth it 😊

[@konstantinoszemadanis7390]

Great quality series, keep on the next episode!! Places i wiil difinitely visit.

[@BakingHermann]

Thank you, can't wait to share the next one!

[@japsowinkaur525]

Seriously blown away!! This video is like a high budget Netflix documentary production, but better! Unbelievably good

[@kairae7034]

I love this tour, and how you present it. You're so fun to watch! I am Italian but born in the US and My Family is from Italy specifically generationally founders of Trapani. This is still our last name. I have not gotten to go to Italy yet so your tour for me is so amazing to see and appreciate you sharing it with us as you do... Thank you! 😊

[@BakingHermann]

Oh how wonderful that it has that meaning for you 😊 thanks for watching

[@BT-kt7gb]

I enjoyed this episode. Thank you for bringing this to us. I appreciate you!

[@BakingHermann]

Thanks for watching!

[@hengamehtehranchi2250]

❤❤❤❤

[@noober83]

I'm from Trapani and I've to say you had a very genuine and true experience in this video

[@BakingHermann]

That's wonderful to hear! Apologies for pronouncing it wrong haha.

[@johnp.weiksnar6861]

I've been watching KZbin virtually since day one, but this is easily the most transformative video I've ever seen. "I can't believe it's vegan" resonates like there's no tomorrow! What the heck. Thank you.

[@BakingHermann]

I’m literally just starting out on here and this is such a huge compliment and motivation!! Thank you so much, can’t wait to share more because there’s so many incredible food cultures out there!

[@johnp.weiksnar6861]

@@BakingHermann Well, you have a definite gift for communicating the message loud and clear, with authenticity . . . amplifying the ethic that simple, healthful, delectible foods available to everyone "just happen to be vegan." After all, being plant-based doesn't deserve to be ridiculed by society, looked at as a handicap, or associated with activists. Just the opposite, "incidentally plant-based" is more like the solution to diets chronically anchored by some very sad meal icons that went global: pizza, burgers and wings. Think about it: of all the vital things that have leapfrogged in the past century-communication, transportation, energy, technology-why has diet lagged? Again, you show that simple and eminently edible foods are still out there and being made with care, whether or not the public notices. Hopefully slow food traditions are the way society picks up again, to get creative and make up for time wasted on fast food role models. Bravo.

[@BakingHermann]

@@johnp.weiksnar6861 This would be the perfect description of the goal of this show! You’re so right, the communication around it is far behind, and, in fact, even split into two camps within veganism. One focusing on natural foods, the other one on replacing animal-products. But the later is also an example of larger cooperations leading the way rather than something that has stood the test of time without a financial gain as an end goal….

[@RomeInside]

I love how excited you were about evetyhing you tried! You can tell it's true and not "fake excitement" lol Also your Italian is quite good!

[@BakingHermann]

That’s wonderful to hear! I guarantee you it’s all genuine, was so fascinating to get these insights into the local culture!

[@la_yogavita]

Hi Herman, I’m so happy I found your channel. Thank you 🙏🏽♥️

[@BakingHermann]

Thanks for tuning in!

[@mauricehalfhide3982]

Very enjoyable episode and I love that you keep it simple. I am so glad to find your channel.

[@BakingHermann]

Thank you!! Can’t wait to share the next episodes

[@shijoejoseph2011]

Love it. And that shirt is gorgeous! You are a divinely delicious vision to behold!

[@BakingHermann]

Haha thank you!

[@shijoejoseph2011]

@@BakingHermann you are welcome.

[@julietaylor3748]

What a great introduction to Scicily! I had no idea there would be traditional vegan foods and now I want to go myself to try them all 😅 Thankyou for such a genuine presentation ❤

[@user-ob1bc2er1t]

When is episode 2 coming out please? I’m Italian and vegan and always showing my British Vegan husband what Italy has to offer to Vegans…..it’s an incentive to book those holidays 😂 thank you Julius 🎉

[@BakingHermann]

Haha awesome! I’m glad it has that effect. I’m working on Ep. 2 but there’s a few other things going on. Should be out in a few weeks!

[@DS-hh4pq]

Love this. Such a great video!!

[@BakingHermann]

Thank you so much!

[@user-ry3gu8yo4y]

This was absolutely fascinating.

[@BakingHermann]

Thank you so much!!

[@omphalos1000]

영상 감사합니다 🎉❤

[@BakingHermann]

Thanks for watching!

[@sheriff1able]

I my goodness that looks good and I can hear the sound of goodness!

[@BakingHermann]

It was incredible!

[@lerenardetlesraisins]

Omg Hermann this is AMAZING ! Can't wait to book vacation in Sicily now !

[@BakingHermann]

Haha awesome, thank you!!