Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Sicilian Hunter’s Rabbit – Rustic, Rich and Full of Tradition
Discover this deeply flavourful Sicilian hunter’s rabbit — a cosy, aromatic classic made with tender rabbit, herbs, wine and a slow-simmered tomato sauce.
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 1.2 kg wild or farmed rabbit
- ✓ Red wine vinegar
- ✓ 1 garlic clove
- ✓ Fresh herbs (rosemary, sage, marjoram and thyme)
- ✓ 1 onion
- ✓ 1 celery stick
- ✓ 1 carrot
- ✓ 2 bay leaves
- ✓ 1 glass of red wine
- ✓ Tomato sauce
- ✓ Extra-virgin olive oil
- ✓ Salt
- ✓ Freshly ground black pepper
📊 Nutritional Information
Hunter’s rabbit is one of Sicily’s most beloved countryside dishes — rustic, warming and rich with the aromas of herbs, wine and long, gentle cooking.
Rooted in rural traditions where game often took centre stage, this recipe fills the kitchen with irresistible fragrance as it simmers away. The marinade, the herbs and the slow braise work together to bring out the best in the rabbit, creating a sauce that begs to be mopped up with crusty bread.
Perfect for a winter supper or a family Sunday lunch, this dish pairs beautifully with a good Sicilian red and plenty of chatter around the table.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Skin, gut and cut the rabbit into pieces, then marinate it in wine and vinegar with the herbs for a couple of hours.
- 2
Finely chop the onion, garlic, carrot and celery.
- 3
In a frying pan or large pot, heat a little extra-virgin olive oil and brown the rabbit over a medium–high heat until golden.
- 4
Remove the meat from the pan and set aside.
- 5
In the same pan, add the chopped vegetables and sauté gently until soft and lightly golden.
- 6
Add the rosemary, thyme and bay leaves and cook for a couple of minutes.
- 7
Pour in the red wine and let the alcohol evaporate.
- 8
Add the tomato sauce and some vegetable or meat stock, then simmer on a low heat for about 1 hour, until the sauce thickens and the rabbit becomes tender. Adjust with salt and black pepper.
- 9
Serve the hunter’s rabbit piping hot with potatoes or seasonal vegetables.
💡 Tips and Variations
For a richer finish, stir in black olives or capers as the sauce cooks. You can also replace the red wine with a dry white wine for a more delicate flavour.
📦 Storage
- • Store in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- • Freeze the cooked dish for up to 1 month.
- • Reheat in the oven at 160°C for 10 minutes before serving.
🍷 Pairing
Pair this dish with a glass of Contea di Sclafani Grillo — elegant, structured and wonderfully dry.
Thank you for discovering Sicilian hunter’s rabbit with me. Rich, hearty and full of tradition, it’s a dish made for sharing and savouring slowly. Enjoy every bite!
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