More than 20 years ago group of farmers in western Sicily formed the coop called Valdibella to grow the island’s traditional crops as well as providing work for the area’s young people. Chickpeas, called ceci in Italian, have been grown on the island for thousands of years, and they were associated with the goddess Venus because of their presumed medicinal and fertility properties. Chickpeas are great with pasta, in vegetable soups, simmered in spicy tomato sauce, or just cooked with salt and olive oil.