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Ricette di Sicilia

Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane


Sicilian rabbit in tomato sauce

Sicilian Rabbit in Tomato Sauce – A Warming Island Classic

Discover this comforting Sicilian rabbit in tomato sauce — a traditional dish celebrated for its rich, authentic flavour.

⏱️
Prep Time
20 minutes
🔥
Cook Time
1 hour and 10 minutes
👥
Serve
Serves 4
📊
Difficulty
Medium
💰 Medium
🗓️ Autumn, Winter
4.9/5

🛒 Ingredients

  • 1.2 kg rabbit, cut into pieces
  • Half a clove of Nubia red garlic
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • 50 g butter
  • 50 g cooked ham, finely chopped
  • A small bunch of parsley
  • Half a glass of white wine
  • 4 ripe tomatoes
  • Tomato sauce
  • Salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper

📊 Nutritional Information

Calories
450 kcal
Protein
38 g
Fat
28 g
Carbohydrates
8 g
Fiber
2 g
Sugars
4 g
Sodium
500 mg

Sicilian rabbit in tomato sauce is one of those dishes that manages to feel both rustic and refined — a true reflection of the island’s culinary soul. Passed down through generations, it celebrates the simplicity of good ingredients: ripe tomatoes, fragrant garlic, fresh parsley and tender rabbit simmered slowly into a rich, warming sauce.

It’s the kind of meal that brings to mind family Sundays, harvest seasons and long tables set under autumn skies. Perfect for a cosy dinner or a leisurely weekend lunch, it’s a dish that captures the heart of Sicily with every forkful.

👨‍🍳 Preparation

  1. 1

    Brown the rabbit in a pan with butter and extra-virgin olive oil until golden.

  2. 2

    Season the meat with salt, add the crushed garlic and freshly ground pepper.

  3. 3

    Stir in the chopped cooked ham and parsley.

  4. 4

    Pour in the white wine and allow it to evaporate completely.

  5. 5

    Add the peeled, chopped tomatoes along with the tomato sauce.

  6. 6

    Cover and simmer gently until the sauce thickens and the rabbit becomes tender.

  7. 7

    Serve hot, ideally with roasted potatoes or crusty bread.

💡 Tips and Variations

For an extra boost of flavour, add a handful of black olives halfway through cooking. If you prefer a richer taste, swap the cooked ham for pancetta.

📦 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

Enjoy this dish with a glass of young Contea di Sclafani red wine, served at 16–18°C in balloon glasses.

Thank you for exploring this classic Sicilian rabbit dish. Deeply comforting and full of island character, it’s perfect to share with loved ones. May it bring a touch of Sicilian warmth to your table.

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