The Rich Gastronomic Tradition at Almar Giardino di Costanza Resort & Spa

Almar Giardino di Costanza Resort & Spa is a refined resort and one of the gems within the HNH Hospitality group. This summer, the resort is inviting guests to discover and experience many of the gastronomic wonders that have helped to shape the western Sicilian culture.

The Sicilian city of Mazara del Vallo is famous for its rich gastronomic tradition, rooted in its millennia-old history and its privileged location on the Mediterranean Sea. In this feature, we celebrate the excellence of Mazara’s gastronomy, a cultural and culinary heritage of immeasurable value.

The cuisine of Mazara del Vallo is a true treasure trove of authentic flavours, and it is based on the use of fresh and genuine ingredients, locally sourced or caught in the crystal-clear waters of the surrounding sea.

Fishing is one of the city’s main industries, and the most characteristic catch is the red shrimp (ammaru russu in the local dialect). Caught around Lampedusa and Malta, south of Pantelleria, or east between Cyprus and Turkey, where the sea reaches depths of up to 700 meters, Mazara’s shrimp stands out with its intense red colour, resembling coral, and the unmistakable deliciousness of its firm, white flesh.

In summer, the head of Mazara’s red shrimp darkens due to the presence of eggs, from which delectable caviar is also derived.

At Almar Giardino di Costanza Resort & Spa’s AquaMadre Restaurant, the red shrimp of Mazara takes centre stage in a dish the chef aptly named “My interpretation of Mazara del Vallo red prawn’s textures: Tartare, dehydrated chips, tail breaded with Panko and ‘his air’ served with lime courgette carpaccio.”

It exemplifies the chef’s approach, playing with tradition, skillfully rediscovering and reimagining the regional flavours using only the finest locally sourced ingredients.

One of the most renowned traditional dishes in the region is the fish couscous, a preparation made with durum wheat semolina accompanied by a flavorful fish broth and a variety of fresh seafood. This speciality bears the influences of Arab culture. Mazara was, indeed, the first city conquered by the Arabs in 827, and it was with their arrival that couscous also made its way here.

Over time, the couscous of Mazara del Vallo has become a regional dish, distinguished from its original version. The Sicilian variation, in particular, replaces meat with fish and employs a different technique called “incocciare,” which involves crumbing the semolina with wet fingertips, resulting in a coarser texture.

The preparation of this dish requires specific utensils, including the special pot (referred to as the pignatta du cùscusu in the local dialect), a type of painted terracotta colander placed inside a tall-sided pot to allow for the steaming of the crumbled semolina.

However, western Sicily’s culinary delights extend beyond just seafood. The region is renowned for its other top-quality agricultural products, such as its artichokes and Nocellara del Belice olives.

Cultivated near the cliffs, the artichokes absorb the essence of the seawater, resulting in a unique and intriguing flavour with hints of the sea and algae. They are a versatile ingredient that finds its way into numerous traditional recipes, imparting richness and complexity to the dishes.

And what about desserts? Typical of Trapani, the graffa with ricotta and the fried cassatella are absolute must-tries at least once in a lifetime.

The graffa is a fried doughnut with a soft, fluffy texture, filled with ricotta and chocolate chips, all topped with a sprinkle of powdered sugar.

Another standout is the cassatella (known as cassatedda in the local dialect) is a crescent-shaped, crumbly pastry filled with ricotta flavoured with chocolate chips, grated orange zest, and cinnamon. It is best savoured while still warm after being fried in hot oil.

And then the granitas! Sicily, as a whole, boasts a long-standing tradition of granitas with a wide variety of flavours that highlight the region’s exceptional local produce, including lemons, pistachios, and almonds. In Trapani, something that shouldn’t be missed is the jasmine and red mulberry granitas, both once again influenced by Arabic flavours.

Traditionally referred to as scursunera, the jasmine granita offers a delicate taste. Whilst the red mulberry granita features a bolder and slightly tangy flavour derived from the fruit of these majestic Mediterranean trees.

Set amidst such a bountiful land, Almar Giardino di Costanza Resort & Spa captures its aromas and flavours in the exclusive recipes of its AquaMadre Restaurant and the snacks at the Turchinu Lounge & Terrace.

The restaurant takes its name from one of the most renowned symbols of the surrounding Mazara area: the salt pans. It is within these salt pans that “aqua madre” is formed, a highly concentrated seawater that lingers in the clayey depths after the crystallised salt has been harvested.

The salt, sourced from the salt pans along the southwestern coast, stands as a primary ingredient in the culinary offerings of AquaMadre Restaurant. A sophisticated selection of 10 types of locally crafted and flavoured salts, sourced from the ancient Culcasi salt pans in Nubia, a recognised Slow Food Presidium, enriches the preparation of various dishes.

These salts are unique to the western Sicilian region, where traditional manual salt harvesting has been practised once a year for over a century.

To present the unique and authentic cuisine of this land through a true sensory journey, Almar Giardino di Costanza has crafted the Turchinu Street Food Package. Guests will savour an authentic Sicilian apéritif served on the panoramic terrace of the Turchinu Lounge & Terrace.

The Trinacria Mojito combines the classic ingredients of a mojito with the authentic scents of Sicily, including limoncello, lime, and orange, accompanied by a selection of typical Sicilian street food delicacies: arancini, panelle, panzerotti, fried pizza, and caponata.

The package also includes a wine tasting at the Gorghi Tondi Estate, situated within the Lago Preola and Gorghi Tondi Integral Nature Reserve, a WWF oasis. Spanning 130 hectares in a unique and captivating environment, the vineyards border the reserve’s four small lakes formed within a karst depression.

The vineyards are cultivated under certified organic practices, eschewing synthetic chemicals, and irrigation is employed sparingly to preserve the authentic aromas and flavours of this enchanting corner of Sicily. The exploration of the estate’s products commences with a visit to the cellar and barrel room, culminating in a tasting of the finest selection of Gorghi Tondi wines, showcasing the family’s four “Cru” labels.

Additionally, the package includes a €50 gift voucher to be utilised during the 2023 season.

Indeed, with its Turchinu Street Food Package, Almar Giardino di Costanza Resort & Spa offers an unforgettable journey through the authentic flavours of this picturesque part of Sicily.

About Almar Giardino di Costanza Resort & Spa
Almar Giardino di Costanza Resort & Spa is one of the flagship properties of the HNH Hospitality Group, the leading independent Italian hotel operator in the four and five-star hotel and resort segment.

The Resort has 88 junior suites and suites, all equipped with private balconies and terraces. The large hall, decorated with white marble embellished with furnishings and finishes characterised by typically Sicilian notes, overlooks the resort’s central courtyard.

A scenic waterfall leads to the swimming pool and sun terrace. The culinary offer of AquaMadre Restaurant is strongly inspired by local tradition and uses only the best local raw materials. The resort’s main bar is called Turchinu Lounge & Terrace, a name prompted by the turquoise colour of the Sicilian tiles of the terrace.

Its Almablu Spa takes inspiration from the well-established concept of the award-winning Almablu Wellness & Spa of Almar Jesolo Resort & Spa. It offers a range of body and face massages rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Just 15 km away and reachable with the resort’s shuttle is the Lido di Costanza, the resort’s private beach, equipped with catering services, sunbeds and umbrellas.

The Almablu Spa – including an outstanding wet area, indoor pool, fitness area and five treatment cabins – takes up the well-established and award-winning concept of Almablu Wellness & Spa of Almar Jesolo Resort & Spa and offers a wide range of body and face massages inspired by Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Among the activities organised by the Resort to let guests experience the territory are fishing trips accompanied by fishermen from Mazara, wine and olive oil tasting, and tours of the salt pans of Trapani, Marsala and Mozia.

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