St. Agatha’s olives

Behind this typical dessert of the feast of St. Agatha that resembles a green olive, there is a precious and important story. Every year on February 5th, for the feast of the Patron Saint of Catania, AGATA, tradition has it that the olive trees of S. Agata are made, a symbol of protection and devotion. Legend has it that the young girl hunted by Roman soldiers under the orders of the proconsul Quinziano, who intended to subdue her, stopped for a moment to fasten her shoes and catch her breath. It was then that, touching the earth with one hand, Agata saw an olive tree sprout in front of her, which in a short time became large and loaded with ripe olives, allowing her to shelter and satisfy hunger.