Olivette of Sant'Agata

The Olivette di Sant’Aita are traditional sweets from Catania and in particular from the feast of Sant’Agata in Catania. The olive trees refer to the legend according to which Saint Agatha, pursued by Quinziano's men and now near the praetorian palace, stopped to rest for a moment. At the same moment in which she stopped, it is said to tie a shoe, an olive tree appeared out of nowhere and the young girl was able to take shelter and even eat its fruits. Even today, to renew the memory of that prodigious event, it is customary to cultivate an olive tree in a flower bed near the places of martyrdom, and to consume these typical sweets made with royal pasta during the holidays. The Olivette di Sant’Agata have a characteristic oval shape and green color that recall olives in appearance. They are made with almond flour and sugar and recall the flavor of many almond-based desserts typical of traditional Sicilian pastry.