Table of Contents
Many people go to Italy for the art, history and culture but all of these aspects are tied to food. A nation that keeps its culinary traditions, you can learn so much about family, politics and culture by eating.
Here are 6 food festivals in Italy that are just too delicious to miss.
Carnevale in February
While there are carnival celebrations throughout Italy the most famous is in Venice. The already popular city becomes crowded with visitors wearing the famous Venetian masks and costumes and it is a party lasting two weeks long. Look for the famous Venetian pastry the fritelle, which is served everywhere throughout Carnevale.
For something a bit less crowded head to Piedmont and participate in a unique food fight with oranges. Goggles are recommended!
St.Joseph’s Day in March
The feast day of San Giuseppe is celebrated throughout Italy although has been somewhat overtaken with Father’s Day. However the most delicious way to celebrate this day is to eat a deep fried doughnut called a zeppole, which is traditionally only made on March 19.
Zeppole are a traditional dessert that are found throughout Italy, but most well known in Rome and Naples.
Vinitaly in April
Verona is not only the home of the mythic Romeo and Juliet or Dante’s Inferno. The world’s largest wine exhibition takes place the second week in April in Verona.
A celebration of wine, food, art and culture, at Vinitaly there is something for everyone from the beginner wine taster to experienced oenophiles.
Porchettiamo in May
The iconic Italian porchetta sandwich is celebrated each year in a village just outside the medieval town of Todi. Porchetta is made by deboning a whole suckling pig, stuffing it with herbs and rolling it up to cook it over an open spit. It’s then sliced and served on crusty bread.
At Porchettiamo, the best porchetta producers throughout Italy congregate in San Terenziano di Gualdo Cattaneo (Perugia) for three days to offer the best sandwiches in Italy with local craft beer and wine.
Risotto Festival in May
What is better than a festival that celebrates creamy carbs? The Sagra del Risotto began in the 13th century in Sessame, a small town in the Piedmont region.
The first Sunday each May celebrates this iconic Italian rice dish and local, seasonal flavours with a series of arts and culture events along with a large street market where you can try authentic Italian risotto.
Truffle Fair in October
There are truffle festivals and fairs throughout Italy during autumn to celebrate the season for this very decadent ingredient. However, the Alba truffle in Piedmont is one of the most famous, and therefore the Alba White Truffle World Market is the largest.
At this festival you can view some outrageously expensive truffles and sample decadent dishes made with the white alba truffle.
The comments and contributions expressed are assumed only by the author. The recommendations, intentions or opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Transat AT Inc. or its affiliates. See terms of use of the Air Transat website.
