Last year when we made another trip back to Sicily, it was to see two of our good friends get married. After 16 years together, we knew that the wedding would be a relaxing affair surrounded by friends and family…and lots and lots of food.
One day I’ll post some pictures of the actual wedding, but for now, I thought I’d share some pictures of the food. I mean, because let’s be honest, you’re just here for the food porn, right?
L’Agora di Segesta where they had the reception had a lovely view of the Segesta Greek ruins just on the other hill. We got there late enough that I only got one picture of the ruins before it was too dark.
They had a buffet di antipasti, a big buffet of appetizers outside while the sun went down. There were trays of bresaola with shreds of parmigiano and arugula with slices of lemon, insalata di mare with octopus and calamari marinated in lemon juice, marinated artichoke hearts garnished with slices of lime, slivers of salmone e pesce spada affumicata -smoked salmon and swordfish, shrimp salad tossed with cubes of mango and kiwi, prosciutto being sliced directly off the hock, along with beef roast.
It makes our own light Pugliese lunch reception (antipasti and first plates) after returning from the wedding in California seem rather tiny by comparison!
Here’s a tower of speck and prosciutto with chunks of melon and parmigiano reggiano cheese.
Fresh Oysters ready to be shelled and eaten at any moment!
Cubed mortadella that was perfect for snacking when you weren’t on the dance floor. With a toothpick, you had a meal!
One of my favorite displays ANYWHERE in Italy – a big wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano or Grana Padano (in this case) chunked up and ready to be eaten. A chunk or two would always clear up my palate a bit between all the different flavors. And, it tastes great with whatever you’re drinking.
One of my favorite seafood appetizers, that we had at our lunch reception, too – cozze grattugiate – breaded mussels!
I was pleasantly surprised to see some watermelon art at the wedding – not so different from the carved watermelons I saw at my friend’s wedding feast in India (but no pics, sorry).
After a big buffet of antipasti, of course that meant there were still 2 first plates AND 3 second (fish) plates to eat. Here, perhaps my favorite dish of the evening – unfortunately even this small amount I requested I wasn’t able to finish: Tagliatelle in Vellutata di Crostacei / Shellfish sauce. Yum!
There was also a risotto al gambero rosso – big shrimp similar to crayfish. I didn’t get any pictures of the grilled shrimp, or the grouper, but they did make the rounds at our table.
This was my favorite part of the night – what a display! A flaming roasted sea bass fish brought out for everyone to enjoy. If you look closely, you’ll notice the bridal couple standing behind it.
I didn’t forget about the desserts, though. Did you?