A gastronomic tradition not to be missed in Catania: read in the post where you can taste excellent horse meatballs, immersed in a welcoming and traditional atmosphere.
La patty it's a popular cuisine institution, let's face it! No matter what the basic ingredients are, meatballs are always good. If you are in Catania then, thanks to the union between a popular environment and meatball, the result you get is the "must" of trattorias in the historic center: the horse meatballs, a mixture based on horse meat, which will not be the favorite dish of the connoisseurs of nouvelle cuisine or molecular cuisine, but which for years now has represented for Catania residents and tourists a valid low-cost alternative to more sophisticated dishes.
A traditional dish
Given the importance of this tradition, it can certainly be said that the impact it has on Sicilian gastronomic culture is comparable to that of breads c'a meusa or the “panino con le panelle” of Palermo, which as a gourmand I do not let go whenever I am in the Sicilian capital. In both cases it is emblems of Sicilian street food.
Where to eat horse meatballs
And where to find the excellence of this dish, if not in the most popular street of the city? In via Plebiscito and its surroundingsin fact, most of the butchery and of the trattorias that deal with this particular type of red meat, cooked strictly on the grill, in the form of meatballs or alternatively in slices, and served in a Spartan way, if you like "nmezzu o'pani", as in the best traditions of "arrusti and eat".
However, if the idea of ​​eating horse meat bothers you but you still want to savor the folklore of this ritual, don't be discouraged! The alternatives are not lacking and you can divert your preferences on different types and cuts of meat, on appetizers and side dishes of Sicilian cuisine and even on fish, all at very low prices.
It is almost impossible to draw up a ranking of the best places to taste a good horse meatball, strictly accompanied by the so-called salamarigghiu, a sauce made from oil, vinegar or lemon, salt and oregano, so I'll just list 4 places, where in my opinion we reach the excellence of this popular dish.
1. Trattoria Da Achille
Among the best known names we find the Trattoria Da Achille, which needs no introduction to the people of Catania, like King Charles V, both located in Via Plebiscito, one next to the other, respectively at number 734 and 728. In both cases we are talking about trattorias directly overlooking the street, where the embers, called fucularu, is the favorite work tool for professionals. In both cases we find a "good" service but an excellent quality for raw materials. Excellent value for money and excellent compromise in both cases, for those who do not expect a service with attention to detail.
2. Baron's Terrace
Not far away, on Via Lago di Nicito n ° 3/5, we find the Terrazza del Barone, a restaurant-trattoria, where the possibility of tasting an exquisite horse meatball with pistachio cream, as well as other delicacies of the typical Catania cuisine.
3. Camelot and Borgo di Federico
Moving towards the area of ​​the “Castello Ursino”, in Piazza Federico di Svevia it is possible to come across names as well known as those already mentioned. I am referring to the Camelot at number 73, and to the Borgo di Federico at number 100. Among the restaurants in the area in my opinion, these two are the best, considering the quality of the products, location, service and value for money as parameters of judgment.
In both cases, noteworthy horse meatballs, along with other dishes. We are not at the level of haute cuisine, but the environment is welcoming and you will certainly come out full and satisfied and your wallet thanks!
4. Riccardo, via Dusmet
In this particular list I cannot fail to mention finally a sandwich with Riccardo's puppetta, at a cost of only € 3. It is a restaurant located in via Dusmet, in front of the "Navy arches". There is no service, just a few stools where you can sit momentarily, but it is absolutely worth going for a quick meal.
