Almond and Passavolante Festival

A festival dedicated to the almond and the passavolante

The Almond and Passavolante Festival is one of the most cherished food and wine events in the Municipality of Vicari, a small medieval village perched on the hills of the Palermo hinterland, in the heart of Sicily. The event celebrates the territory's quintessential product: the almond, which has been cultivated for centuries in the surrounding countryside, where over a dozen local varieties are grown.

The passavolante, the iconic pastry of Vicari

The absolute star of the festival is the passavolante, the traditional Vicari pastry made with almonds. It is a light, crumbly biscuit prepared with toasted almonds, eggs, flour, and sugar, scented with cinnamon. Its origins date back to the 18th century and are attributed to the town's Franciscan monks. Popular tradition links the curious name to an anecdote: the pastries were supposedly distributed so quickly during a banquet that they would "pass by on the fly" (passare al volo) from hand to hand, hence the name "passavolante".

Flavor, music, and tradition

Throughout the festival, the streets and squares of Vicari's historic center come alive with food stalls where visitors can taste the passavolante and numerous other almond-based specialties, alongside local products. The program features cooking shows, street food stations, musical and folk performances, and plenty of entertainment to keep the evenings lively until late.

A village to discover

The festival is also a perfect opportunity to explore Vicari, an ancient town dominated by the remains of its Castle. Built in the Norman era and rebuilt in the 14th century, it overlooks the San Leonardo river valley. Strolling through the village alleys, amidst scenic views and stone architecture, completes the experience of a festival that unites the flavors, history, and identity of the town.

Organization

The event is organized by the Pro Loco Vicari, with the support of the Municipality, and serves as a key reference point for promoting the confectionery traditions and agricultural culture of this corner of the Palermo province.