Appicicchia - Pici Pasta Competition

Appicicchia, the festival of hand-rolled pici

Appicicchia is the gastronomic competition dedicated to pici, the most beloved fresh pasta shape in the Sienese tradition, affectionately known here by the dialect name "lunghetti". The event takes place along the cobblestone streets of Castelmuzio, a small hamlet in the municipality of Trequanda, in the heart of the Val di Chiana Senese, in the province of Siena (Tuscany). Known as the "living room village" for its intimate and hospitable atmosphere, Castelmuzio transforms for a day into a large homemade pasta workshop.

How the competition works

The heart of the event is the team challenge: participants, gathered in groups of at least two, must hand-roll the pici using techniques passed down through generations. The test consists of several phases: a preparation phase with a limited time for rolling the pasta (maximum five millimeters in diameter), cooking, and finally the tasting, evaluated by a jury of experts. The judging is presided over by chef Walter Redaelli, joined by local connoisseurs who evaluate dexterity, speed, and the quality of the dough.

Workshops and tasting

• Pici competition for teams, through the streets of the village;
• Free workshop on learning how to roll pici, in Italian and English, open to everyone;
• Community dinner outdoors with pici served with traditional sauces, from Valdichiana aglione garlic sauce to Chianina beef ragù;
• Live music to accompany the evening.

A village that "sticks" together

The very name of the festival plays on the Tuscan dialect verb: "appicicchia" evokes the idea of something that sticks or binds together, just like pici dough and the community that gathers at the table. Organized by the Associazione Castelmuzio Borgo Salotto with the support of the Valentino Mazzola Sports Society and the Municipality of Trequanda, Appicicchia is much more than a competition: it is an opportunity to discover an authentic Tuscan medieval village, build community, and taste fresh pasta where it was born. An unmissable summer event for those who love genuine cuisine and the popular traditions of Tuscany.