3:00 to 5:00 pm | Check-in
7:30 pm | Welcome aperitivo and discussion followed by dinner
9:00 am | Breakfast and a morning of washing and prepping tomatoes for the making of Salsa Pronta and tomato juice to sun dry.
1:00 pm | Lunch at Case Vecchie followed by pool, rest and relax
4:00 pm | Visit the Tasca D’Almerita winery for a tour and wine tasting followed by dinner at Case Vecchie
9:00 am | Breakfast followed by the first stage of estratto making—spreading the tomato pulp onto boards to begin drying in the sun.
1:00 pm | Lunch at Case Vecchie
5:30 pm | Visit a local Tomato Cooperative
7:30 pm | Aperitivo and dinner at Case Vecchie
7:45 am | Visit a local shepherd and cheesemaker, Filippo Privitera, to see ricotta making. Picnic breakfast included. Return to Case Vecchie for a Sicilian cheese tasting followed by lunch
4:30 pm| Tending to the estratto, sundried tomatoes, figs and raisins
5:30 pm | Cooking lesson followed by aperitivo and dinner
9:00 am | Breakfast
10:00 am | Goodbyes and departure
Planned activities and schedules may change at short notice due to seasonal rhythms of life in Sicily.
Accommodation
5-night stay at Case Vecchie or in one of the nearby cottages.
Shuttle Transfer
Group shuttle service from/to Roccapalumba train station, upon request.
Meals
All meals are included. Lunch and dinner are served with wines from the Tasca d’Almerita estate. Typical menus and cooking lessons feature three or four courses.
Excursions
Guided visits and local experiences as indicated in the program.
Lessons
All cooking classes and other activities specified in the course schedule.
Transportation
Private transportation to and from Case Vecchie is not included. Take a look here to know what is the best way to reach us.
Flight
Airfare is not included.
Insurance
Travel insurance must be arranged independently by participants.
Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate guests with celiac disease or a vegan diet due to the limited availability of specific ingredients in our rural and isolated location.
The heat of August brings with it the sweet, tangy flavors of Sicilian tomatoes.
During this workshop, we will preserve the bounty of August, learning how to make the staple of Sicilian cuisine — estratto (tomato paste) along with other pantry products like salsa pronta, sun-dried tomatoes and raisins. The week is full of fun, sticky fingers and refreshing dips in the pool to cool off. If you’re interested in taking part of a traditional practice, here’s your chance.
I loved everything, beyond beautiful surroundings, fabulous food, wonderful instruction and opportunity to learn about Sicilian cooking, as well as the knowledgeable and very helpful staff. The flowing wine and other guests, who just happened to be amazing also added to my exceptional experience!
B.W
The whole experience, from the accommodations (food, the beautiful location) to all the people we encountered was top notch. The kitchen crew was awesome in every way! I will definitely recommend to friends. David was great, enjoyed his casual style and expertise.
J.N.
I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and thought the standard of the course was exceptional. I have taken other cooking classes in other countries, and this course was by far more authentic, serious, in-depth and has inspired me.
J.S.
Everything about the week was worth the effort to get there and the planning was well worth it. It was a week of gourmet eating. The participants were all enthusiastic about being there and that helped make the overall "experience".
S.M
The people I met: both the staff (kind, energetic, happy, informative) and the other folks in my group. Gathering around the table and laughing, learning and sharing stories is what stands out. And the fact that roosters crow all day which I didn't know. The setting is truly special as well - felt worlds away from the distractions of everyday life and instead in a rich, hands-on learning environment.
S.M
We've been telling everybody what great experience we've had at Case Vecchie: breadmaking, Sicilian cooking lessons, daily walks to the winery, visit to the flour mill and ricotta maker and the sheep, your beautiful grounds filled with fruit trees and vegetable gardens and the chicken coop.
Y.W.
The majority of the website showcases the beautiful photography of Anne Embrun. Other photos are done by the Anna Tasca Lanza team and staff.
The visual identity and website were designed by StudioForward.