Ricette di Sicilia

Name: Sicilian Mutton Broth: A Rustic Winter Comfort
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 120 min
Total time: 135 min
Yield: Serves 4
Cuisine: Sicilian
Ingredients: 1 kg mutton (castrato), cut into pieces; 2 carrots; 1 celery stick; 2 bay leaves; 2 onions; 3 litres of water; 1 clove; 1 small bunch of parsley; a few sprigs of thyme; freshly ground black pepper; salt

Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane

Sicilian mutton broth served steaming in a traditional ceramic bowl

Sicilian Mutton Broth: A Rustic Winter Comfort

Discover how to make Sicilian-style mutton broth - rich, aromatic, and perfect for chilly days or comforting family meals.

Author: Laura Lombardo • Published on: February 28, 2022

Categories: Other Recipes Soups

Tags: water bay leaves carrots mutton cloves onions black pepper parsley salt celery thyme

⏱️

Prep Time

15 minutes

🔥

Cook Time

2 hours

👥

Serve

Serves 4

📊

Difficulty

Easy

💰 Medium

🗓️ Winter

⭐ 4.8/5

🛒 Ingredients

✓ 1 kg mutton (castrato), cut into pieces

✓ 2 carrots

✓ 1 celery stick

✓ 2 bay leaves

✓ 2 onions

✓ 3 litres of water

✓ 1 clove

✓ 1 small bunch of parsley

✓ a few sprigs of thyme

✓ freshly ground black pepper

✓ salt

📊 Nutritional Information

Calories

320 kcal

Protein

35 g

Fat

18 g

Carbohydrates

4 g

Fiber

1 g

Sugars

2 g

Sodium

190 mg

If you're craving a bowl of pure Sicilian comfort, this rustic mutton broth is exactly what you need. Slow-cooked with fresh vegetables and fragrant herbs, it’s a traditional dish full of warmth and character - the sort of food that brings the family together on a cold winter’s day. Rich, aromatic and wonderfully nourishing, it transforms simple ingredients into a deeply flavourful broth with meltingly tender meat.

👨‍🍳 Preparation

1

Pour the water into a tall stockpot and add the carrots, celery, onions, bay leaves, parsley and thyme.
2

Bring to the boil, then add salt and the pieces of mutton.
3

Skim off any impurities that rise to the surface using a skimmer.
4

Season with a pinch of black pepper and add the clove to perfume the broth.
5

Lower the heat and simmer gently for about 2 hours, until the broth is fragrant and the meat is tender.
6

Strain the broth and serve it piping hot with croutons, or enjoy the boiled meat as a second course with vegetables or potatoes.

💡 Tips and Variations

For an extra-aromatic broth, add a strip of lemon zest during cooking. If you prefer a deeper flavour, lightly brown the meat before boiling it.

📦 Storage

• Store in the fridge for up to 2 days.
• You can freeze the strained broth for up to 3 months.
• Reheat gently over a low flame before serving.
• Avoid reheating the meat multiple times to keep it tender.

🍷 Pairing

Serve with a glass of full-bodied Sicilian Nero d’Avola - its bold character beautifully complements the depth of the mutton.

This Sicilian mutton broth is a dish that truly tastes of home - rich, warming and steeped in tradition. Perfect for chilly days and family gatherings, it brings the timeless flavours of the island straight to your table. Enjoy!