Borlengo Festival in Rocca di Roffeno

A festival dedicated to the borlengo

The Borlengo Festival in Rocca di Roffeno is one of the most cherished gastronomic events in the Bolognese Apennines. It takes place every year in mid-June at the Sports Facilities of the hamlet, along Via Monterocca, in the territory of the Municipality of Castel d'Aiano, in the Province of Bologna (Emilia-Romagna). It is organized by the Pro Loco of Rocca di Roffeno, which has been safeguarding and promoting this mountain specialty for years.

What is borlengo

Borlengo is a typical specialty of the Apennines between Bologna and Modena. It is prepared by cooking a very liquid batter, called colla, in a large tin-plated copper pan called sole or rola. The result is a large, very thin, and crispy wafer, seasoned with cunza (a mixture of lard, garlic, and rosemary) and a generous sprinkle of Parmigiano Reggiano. According to tradition, the name derives from burla (joke): the borlengo tricks the eye because it appears large and substantial, but it is actually very light and crumbly. In Rocca di Roffeno, the borlengo is so deeply rooted that there is a specific regulation protecting its preparation.

What to eat at the festival

In addition to the absolute star, during the festival, the food stalls offer the best of Emilian mountain cuisine:

• Borlenghi prepared on the spot in traditional copper pans
• Seasoned Polenta
• Tigelle (crescentine) and fried crescentine
• Cured meats, cheeses, and other typical Apennine specialties

Atmosphere and program

The festival combines food with an entertainment program: live music, shows, markets with artisan and local products, and activities designed for families. It is an opportunity to experience the hospitality of an Apennine village and discover a landscape of ridges and woods, far from the most beaten tourist routes.

A local tradition

More than just a festival, the Borlengo Festival is a community event that draws visitors from all over the Bolognese and Modenese plains to the mountains of Castel d'Aiano. The borlengo, born in convivial winter gatherings between games of cards, becomes here the symbol of a mountain identity that the Pro Loco of Rocca di Roffeno keeps alive from generation to generation.