  We study, using quantum Monte Carlo simulations, the energetics of the
formation of Mott domains of fermions and bosons trapped on one-dimensional
lattices. We show that, in both cases, the sum of kinetic and interaction
energies exhibits minima when Mott domains appear in the trap. In addition, we
examine the derivatives of the kinetic and interaction energies, and of their
sum, which display clear signatures of the Mott transition. We discuss the
relevance of these findings to time-of-flight experiments that could allow the
detection of the metal--Mott-insulator transition in confined fermions on
optical lattices, and support established results on the
superfluid--Mott-insulator transition in confined bosons on optical lattices.
