Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Sicilian Baked Mussels — A Simple, Irresistible Starter
Golden, fragrant baked mussels topped with garlic, parsley and Pecorino — a quintessential Sicilian starter that’s easy to prepare and impossible to resist.
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 1 kg mussels
- ✓ 100 g breadcrumbs
- ✓ 2 garlic cloves
- ✓ 1 glass dry white wine
- ✓ a handful of chopped parsley
- ✓ extra-virgin olive oil
- ✓ 60 g grated aged Sicilian Pecorino
- ✓ salt
- ✓ freshly ground black pepper
📊 Nutritional Information
Baked mussels are a much-loved feature of Sicilian seaside cooking — the kind of dish that appears on restaurant menus all summer long, offering diners a warm, savoury welcome before the main event. Don’t let their simplicity fool you: the depth of flavour comes from the island’s most traditional ingredients — garlic, parsley, good olive oil and a generous grating of mature Pecorino.
Fresh mussels bring their own briny richness, made even more aromatic with a splash of white wine. Once topped with crisp, golden breadcrumbs, they become an appetiser that feels both rustic and elegant, perfect for long lunches or relaxed dinners with friends.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Clean the mussels by removing the beard and scraping the shells.
- 2
Place them in a large pot with half a garlic clove, chopped parsley and a pinch of black pepper.
- 3
Pour in the white wine, cover and cook over medium–high heat for about 5 minutes, until they open.
- 4
Remove the empty half-shell from each mussel and set aside.
- 5
In a bowl, mix toasted breadcrumbs with finely chopped garlic, parsley, Pecorino, salt and pepper.
- 6
Add a drizzle of olive oil and combine to create a moist, sandy mixture.
- 7
Fill each mussel with the mixture, pressing lightly.
- 8
Arrange them on a baking tray lined with parchment and bake at 180°C for 10 minutes.
- 9
Serve hot.
💡 Tips and Variations
Add a pinch of chilli flakes for a little heat.
For a richer version, stir a few finely chopped cherry tomatoes into the breadcrumb mixture.
📦 Storage
- • Store in the fridge for up to 1 day.
- • You can freeze uncooked mussels for up to 1 month.
- • Reheat at 180°C for 5 minutes before serving.
🍷 Pairing
Serve with a chilled glass of Delia Nivolelli Inzolia — a Sicilian sparkling white with fruity aromas and a dry, refreshing finish.
Thanks for trying my Sicilian baked mussels! I hope they’ve brought a little taste of the island to your table. Buon appetito!
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