Ancient Sicilian Remedies Against the Heat

In Sicily, summer means sun, bright light, and high temperatures… but also ancient refreshing traditions that reflect the ingenuity and taste of a people used to living with the heat.
Today, as more and more people rediscover authentic flavors and old remedies, it’s worth being intrigued by the Sicilian ways – simple yet effective – of cooling down on the hottest days.

Zammù: the essence of the Sicilian summer

One of the most typical ways to beat the heat was (and still is) zammù: simple cold water and a few drops of anise essence.
This tradition dates back to the Arab rule in Sicily, when anise was used to disinfect and flavor the water.
Fresh, aromatic, and digestive, anise water gradually became a family ritual and a symbol of local hospitality and culture.

Frozen long zucchini: the farmers’ popsicle

Another star of the Sicilian summer is the long zucchini, a pale green vegetable that can grow over a meter long.
In the countryside, it was cut into sticks and chilled in the fridge or icy water, becoming a natural popsicle for kids (and not only).
Crunchy, refreshing, healthy: a simple gesture now making a comeback in Sicilian homes.

Lemon water… with a secret twist

Cold water with lemon, sugar, and a pinch of salt was the “big drink” always present in fields and home kitchens.
A poor but clever beverage: the lemon refreshes, the sugar provides energy, and the salt replenishes minerals.
A sort of natural ancestor of today’s energy drinks, with the full flavor of our land.

Summer broth: tender greens and long zucchini

Many smile when they hear about “pasta in broth” in summer… but in Sicily, it’s a classic!
Pasta with tenerumi is a traditional dish, made with the tender shoots of the zucchini plant and served hot even in August.
For Sicilians, it’s not a contradiction but a ritual of flavor and well-being: the vegetables are refreshing, light, and hydrating.

Flavors to rediscover, identity to preserve

Today these ancient Sicilian remedies against the heat are making a comeback: in home kitchens, traditional restaurants, and farmers’ markets.
Simple yet meaningful gestures that speak of roots, collective memory, and an authentic connection to the land.

Live the Sicilian summer like a local

During your trip to Sicily, try zammù in a Palermo café, taste tenerumi in an inland village, and snack on chilled long zucchini.
You’ll discover that, on this island, even cooling down becomes a travel experience.