Siciliamo visits the Cous Cous Fest

The "10th International Festival of Mediterranean Culture, Food and Wine", otherwise known as the Cous Cous Fest of San Vito, (photogallery) is a gastronomic exhibition (usually held mid to late September) that attracts the attention of the Mediterranean and International gastronomic community to the idyllic seaside Sicilian Village of San Vito Lo Capo. San Vito Lo Capo is located on the North West of the Island midway between Palermo and Trapani. Chefs from the Mediterranean basin, Africa and Brazil compete for the prize of the best preparation and presentation of the traditional dish of Cous Cous, as well as for newer, more modern versions of this dish. Traditional Sicilian couscous with fish soup and chunks of swordfish is a must!

The festival celebrates 3000 years of Cous Cous, with a lively mix of world music, Mediterranean colours and, of course, food and wine tasting.

This year Siciliamo eagerly attended the Cous Cous Fest is San Vito in order to participate in the many interesting gastronomic workshops and seminars fronted by some of the best cous cous chefs in the world as well as those from the Sicilian school of cous cous, showing what Sicilian cuisine is all about...

While San Vito's history as the centre of Sicilian cous cous was enough reason in itself to attend the festival, white sand beaches and clear blue water such as this also helps a little! And don't forget, San Vito is part of the Province of Trapani, otherwise known as the "Bread Basket" of Italy and contains some of the best produce and the cutest agriturismi farm stays you will find.

The following video features my mum making the Moroccan version of lamb couscous with the traditional tajine pot. Enjoy!