Altedo Green Asparagus Festival IGP

The green gold of the Bolognese plain

In the plain between Bologna and Ferrara, in Altedo, a hamlet of the Municipality of Malalbergo (province of Bologna, Emilia-Romagna), grows one of Italy's most celebrated vegetables: Altedo Green Asparagus, recognized as IGP (Protected Geographical Indication) in 2003. Every spring, the festival dedicated to it transforms the town into a major meeting point for producers, gourmets, and families, attracting visitors from all over the region and beyond.

A tradition born in 1970

The event has its roots in 1970, when the then-mayor Primo Carlini conceived it to promote local agriculture and give a stage to green asparagus, which has always been a protagonist of the area's agricultural economy. Over the years, the festival has grown to become one of the most anticipated food and wine events in Emilia-Romagna, driven by the work of volunteers, associations, and local producers. After a break of a few years, the festival has returned with renewed enthusiasm, resuming the tradition of the great editions.

What to experience at the festival

The gastronomic hub is the TuttAsparago restaurant, located at the Cooperativa Pat Frut, in a covered and heated environment: here, IGP green asparagus becomes the common thread of a menu that ranges from appetizers to desserts, in the Bolognese style.

• Tastings with asparagus-themed dishes: from ricotta flan with asparagus cream to tortellini with cream soup, to asparagus served plain or with pancetta;
• Concerts and evening events in the square with bands and musical performances;
• Markets, stalls, and open shops along the town's streets;
• Street shows and entertainment for children, a funfair, and bouncy castles;
• Sports tournaments (swimming, basketball, 5-a-side football, bowls) and the traditional tractor parade;
• the procession of Santa Rita, which concludes the calendar of events.

A product to protect

Altedo Green Asparagus IGP is protected by a dedicated Consortium, also established in 2003. The festival is not just a town celebration: it is also an opportunity to showcase a product that remains economically vital for the Malalbergo area and the entire Bolognese plain, fostering agricultural promotion, popular participation, and local identity.