Ferragosto in Sicily!

FERRAGOSTO in Sicily
Saturday August 30th
Highlands Country Club, Oakland 1-4pm
Kids under 12 are free!
LAST DAY TO PURCHASE IS THURSDAY 8/28

Ferragosto has its origins in Mussolini’s Italy, when the dictator declared a Summer national holiday and reduced national train fares so Italy's working class could not only take mandatory time off, but afford a vacation for their families. While initially a propaganda initiative, Ferragosto has remained an Italian cultural phenomena where shops close, maybe even for the week, and Italians fill these free days with picnics, barbecues, trips out of town, bonfires, fireworks and, given the seasonal heat, swims in pools, the sea, river or lakes. 

Cittavino & Co. celebrates Ferragosto every year, the epitome of the Dolce Vita that us Americans long after, but have no idea how to truly live- our go go go lifestyle cannot comprehend. Cittavino brings back inspiration from our visits to farmers and winemakers in Italy and capitalizes on California's Summer bounty. This year, the theme is western Sicily. The Island's cosmopolitan history is varied across its terrain- from grape varieties to your favorite dishes, they are all a culmination of thousands of years of various peoples and traditions.

6 wines + a passed, western Sicilian tasting menu

Grazing Table Abbondanza

Olive

sauteed with fennel seed and orange zest

Pesto Trapanese 

with market veges Zio paolo rosato

Fennel Pollen Butter 

with anchovy & lemon 

Sfincione

Sicilian pizza topped with tomato, anchovy, onion, pecorino cheese breadcrumb

Caponata

fried eggplant, celery, olives and capers, marinated in olive oil and tomato agrodolce sauce

Zucchine Sott’olio

marinated summer squash preserved in extra virgin olive oil 

Cavolfiore Arriminato 

roasted cauliflower, farro salad with capers, anchovy, pinenuts, raisins, and lemon breadcrumb 

Passed Tasting Menu

Panelle with Salmoriglio

chickpea fritters with an oregano, lemon, garlic, parsley drizzle

Arancine

classic sicilian saffron rice ball stuffed with pork & beef ragu and fried

(a smoked tomato/mozz option will be available for vegetarians)

Impanata di Pesce Spada

swordifsh “pie” with olives and capers

Porchetta alla Palermo Pane Cà Meusa

slow roast pork belly with fennel “slaw” served Palermo street sandwich style

Dolce

Cassata 

rum-soaked sponge cake layered with sweet ricotta cheese, candied fruit, chocolate, & marzipan

Vini

Welcome Drink: Criante Catarratto Frizzante 

Grazing Table Abbondanza: Vino Lauria Zio Paolo Rosato & Flavia Grillo Bianco

Tasting Menu: Marilena Barbera Rosato, Marilena Barbera Inzolia, Vino Lauria Frappato, 2010 Florio Marsala Virgine