Skip to main content

Seltz e Limone: Sicily's Summer Relief

 

It gets hot in Sicily in the summer. And the spring. And the fall. And when it's hot, and you're hard at work or hard at play, you sweat and you lose salts and minerals.

000000To balance the equation, Sicilians long ago invented Seltz e Limone, a cooling and replenishing mixture of sparkling water, lots of fresh lemon juice, maybe a spritz of some other flavor, and a vigorous shake of salt. Can't be bottled: Must be made this way, on the spot. And we never saw it in any other kind of cup!

P1010183

It's probably possible to make it indoors, but we never saw it anywhere except on carts and 'chioschi'—kiosks. On the waterfront in Syracuse. In squares and parks in Catania. And probably a thousand places we didn't go.

P1010184
This one had tamarind flavor added...

There are, apparently, arguments over whether the water must be naturally carbonated or not, but there's unanimity that it only works with Sicily's own and wonderful lemons. And from us, no argument that once you make up your mind to try it, it is instant relief!

P1010182This kiosk is where that particular seltz came from. It's in Catania, which has more chioschi of various kinds than we saw anywhere else. Here are a few:

P1000954P1000956P1000957

And possibly the best-stocked newsstand I've ever seen...

P1000955

Attachments

Images (9)
  • 000000
  • P1000769-001
  • P1000954
  • P1000955
  • P1000956
  • P1000957
  • P1010182
  • P1010183
  • P1010184

The best part of every trip is realizing that it has upset your expectations

Add Comment

Comments (0)

Post
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×