For Palermo I decided that I wanted to do something different on this port day. We had spent a lot of time sightseeing in Florence and Rome and we had gone to the beach in Sardinia. I decided we should do a family cooking experience. So, off I went in search of just the right experience. We needed something interesting for both me (the foodie) and my non-foodie hubby and of course the girls.
We took part in a Palermo Cooking Class & Market Tour with Chef Vincenzo meeting at Porta Carini, the entrance to the Mercato del Capo. After our market tour, we walk to our cooking class kitchen with the chef at his restaurant, Ristorante Cin Cin. http://ristorantecincin.com/
When we disembarked at the port of Palermo it becomes clear that I had not thought everything through. I thought I could easily grab a cab from the Port to the Market. In case you are not aware - Palermo is what I would consider a tough town. Because we don't have a car waiting for us - we leave the ship in search of a taxi. That can't be too hard right? Wrong. As soon as we leave the gates of the port we are literally accosted by locals wanting to take us on tours. They are relentless. My husband is nervous for the girls - I am the only one in the group that speaks Italian. I head to a cab and ask how much to take me to the Mercato del Capo. 50 Euros. What! In Italian I tell him he must think I am crazy. The market is close by but not safe to walk to according to the polizia at the port. We literally cannot find a way to the market. Hubby just wants to turn around and head back to the ship. I try calling for a cab. Finally, a young woman who works for a tour company takes pity on us and finds us a ride. This ride is with a guy with a car who "she vouches for" who will take us to the market for 15 euros. Again, a girl we don't know is vouching for a man we don't know to get us safely to the market. Of course we go. We make it.
Chef Vincenzo takes us into the market. We purchase fresh veggies, fruit and fish for our lunch. We try some aranchini (fried rice balls made with risotto and cheese) yummy and my daughter's favorite, we have some bread which is not so good - too greasy. But it is fun nonetheless.
We head to the restaurant with all our supplies and get to work pronto.
This is a VERY hands on course. Everyone has to cook - including my hubby! I took pictures to memorialize the occurrence.
We make potato gnocchi, pesto fettuccini, swordfish, eggplant caponata, eggplant rolls with ricotta and breadcrumbs, ricotta casserole with pumpkin, zucchini and mint.
My 13 year old daughter had an amazing time. Thankfully, Chef Lorenzo's daughter was there who was the same age as Gianna. The two girls played barbie with no real language barriers.
What an absolutely fun day. Thankfully, chef arranges for a cab to take us back to port
