What is Agrodolce?

Agrodolce is an Italian sweet and source sauce popular in Sicilian food. It is used in different dishes, it is easily modified to integrate the amount of flavors. While the combination of Agro, which means acid and dolce, which means sweet, is the base of the sauce, the components differ according to the area. The concept of the sauce is commonly attributed to the influence of Arabs who conquered Sicily in 965 and ruled the island for more than two centuries. Since then, Agrodolce has become a common accompaniment of Sicilian food and variations can be found throughout Italy. The traditional version consists of two parts of vinegar after one part of the wine; Balsalmic is the most common vinegar, while any quality red or white wine can be used. Vinegar and wine are mixed togéter and decreases to 1/2 or 1/3 of the initial amount of liquid depending on the desired thickness. Once the sauce is reduced, a small amount of sugar is added and the sauce is cooked until the sugar is dissolved.

iWhen it comes to the most traditional version of the Agrodolce, the various areas of Italy adapted the sauce to complement the kitchen area. In some places the sauce is started by roasting a pearl onion or shallots in butter before adding wine and vinegar. In others, various dried or fresh fruits can be added and chocolate is often replaced by sugar, especially when an agrodolce is used as a dessert.

Some places in northern Italy can use quality fruit juices instead of wine instead of wine. Agrodolce can also be filled with a series of herbs, add the depth of taste and expand the variety of meals that the sauce can supplement. While the base of this sauce is almost always the same, numerous extra choices and variations are universal enough to suit both salty and sweet food.

can be used as a pasta sauce or finishing sauce for different dishes. In Sicily it is a popular topping for grilled meat and simple pasta sauce. In mainland Italy, agrodolce is commonly used as glazeor an antipast sauce. In the mainland Italy and Sicily, roasted pearl onions are thrown into a sweet and set sauce and are served as a side dish. It can also make a good accessory to the cheese boards, often as a sauce for mild and stronger flavored cheeses.