Banchette Pignoletto Rosso Corn Festival

The ancient red corn of the Canavese returns to the spotlight

Every year at the end of October, the small town of Banchette, located in the Province of Turin on the edge of the scenic Ivrea Morainic Amphitheatre, becomes the capital of a product that tells centuries of agricultural history: the Pignoletto Rosso Corn of the Canavese. This ancient variety of maize with reddish kernels was long forgotten before being recovered through the patient work of local farmers, now united under the Pignoletto Rosso Association. The festival was created to promote this organically grown cultivar, which is part of the Turin area's prestigious basket of quality products.

Polenta takes center stage, blending taste and memory

The heart of the festival is, of course, the polenta, stone-ground from the current year's harvest. It is served in its most beloved versions: the famous polenta concia, as well as pairings with sausage, Barbera-braised beef, stew, chicken cacciatore, and a rich selection of cheeses. To complete the tasting experience, visitors can enjoy Canavese DOC wines, craft beers, roasted chestnuts, and apple fritters, all part of a culinary journey that captures the essence of a Piedmontese autumn.

A town in celebration, between markets and traditions

Along the streets of the center, particularly Via Roma, a large market exhibition of local products unfolds, featuring food producers, artisans, and merchants from Piedmont, the Aosta Valley, and Liguria. Visitors can also enjoy demonstrations of corn threshing and milling, an educational camp, and a petting farm designed for families. Over the years, the event has grown to include curious exhibitions—from Lego brick displays to model airplanes with flight simulators, vintage cars, and Olivetti memorabilia—alongside street performances, Occitan music groups, and storytellers.

At the Court of King Pignoletto

One of the most anticipated moments is the historical re-enactment "At the Court of King Pignoletto", a parade in period costumes that winds through the town, symbolically crowning the red grain and honoring the deep bond between Banchette and its land. It is a celebration that blends taste, history, and community, drawing curious visitors and food lovers from all over Piedmont to the Canavese every autumn.