Contorno Brothers is a historic Sicilian preserving company founded in Palermo in 1916. For more than a century it has carried forward flavours deeply rooted in the cuisine of the island. The experience of four generations comes together with traditional recipes and methods dedicated to preserving raw ingredients, from tomatoes to some of the most characteristic preparations of Palermo gastronomy.
Buy Contorno Brothers products online: preserves and flavours from Sicilian tradition
The story of Contorno Brothers begins in the Sette Cannoli district of Palermo, where Antonino and Luciano Contorno founded the company in 1916. Tomatoes have been one of the main features of production since the very beginning. After an initial phase that also included citrus processing, the company increasingly focused on preserves and tomato-based products, gradually building a range closely linked to Sicilian recipes and flavours.
Today, Contorno Brothers continues to combine more than a century of experience with modern production technologies. Preserving tradition and innovation coexist within the same project. Production remains strongly connected to Palermo and to regional cuisine, giving value to preparations that form part of the island’s gastronomic culture.
A story that began in Palermo in 1916
Contorno Brothers was founded by the brothers Antonino and Luciano Contorno in the Palermo district of Sette Cannoli. Four generations have continued the path begun by the founders. Production gradually developed in the field of food preserves, following the evolution of eating habits without ever losing touch with regional cuisine.
Palermo still represents a fundamental part of the company’s identity today. Sicilian recipes are the common thread running through Contorno production. Simple ingredients and preparations deeply rooted in local food culture are transformed into preserves designed to make some of the island’s traditional flavours more readily available.
Preserving expertise and raw ingredients
The company’s long experience in the sector has enabled it to specialise in food processing and preservation. The quality of the raw ingredients and attention to production methods are central elements of its philosophy. Tomatoes have always held an important place, later joined by vegetables, condiments and preparations inspired by regional recipes.
Over time, the company has modernised its plant and production processes while maintaining a recognisable link with its origins. Innovation is used to continue a tradition that began more than a century ago. Today’s production is therefore the result of the meeting between family experience, modern technology and Sicilian food culture.
The Contorno Brothers products selected for you
The selection includes two very different specialities, both deeply linked to Sicilian cuisine: double concentrated tomato paste and seasoning for pasta with sardines. These are two products that represent different aspects of the island’s gastronomic tradition. The double concentrated tomato paste is a dense and intense ingredient, useful for adding body and flavour to sauces, ragù, soups, broths and many Mediterranean dishes, even when used in small quantities.
The seasoning for pasta with sardines recalls one of the most iconic dishes of Palermo cuisine. Sardines and wild fennel create an immediately recognisable flavour. This preparation makes it easier to bring to the table a traditional Sicilian recipe rich in aromas and contrasts, transforming just a few ingredients into a pasta dish with a strong character.
More than a century of Sicilian tradition
Since 1916, Contorno Brothers has continued to produce preserves and condiments while keeping Palermo and Sicily at the heart of its identity. The longevity of the brand reflects an experience built across four generations. Historic recipes, Mediterranean ingredients and preserving techniques are the elements that have accompanied the company’s development over time.
Double concentrated tomato paste and seasoning for pasta with sardines represent two different ways of telling this story. From an essential ingredient to an iconic recipe, both bring an expression of Sicilian cuisine to the table. It is a concise yet representative selection from a company that has been transforming and preserving the flavours of its land for more than a century.