Broccoletto Festival

A festival born from the heart of the village

The Broccoletto Festival is one of the most anticipated winter culinary events in the town of Roccasecca, located in the province of Frosinone, in southern Lazio. The idea was born in 2009 from the merchants of Piazza Longa, the section of Via Roma that runs through the town center: a group of local business owners decided to dedicate a day of celebration to the agricultural product that best represents this land: the Roccasecca broccoletto. Since then, the event has been renewed every year around the Feast of the Immaculate Conception in early December, growing to attract thousands of visitors from the Liri Valley, the Cassino area, and across the entire Ciociaria region.

The Roccasecca broccoletto

The absolute star is a local variety of broccoli rabe, related to catalogna chicory, grown in the fields at the foot of the Monte Cairo massif. Its bold, slightly bitter flavor pairs naturally with pork and local cheeses; it is the foundation of peasant recipes passed down from family to family, where nothing is wasted and everything finds its place in the pot. The festival was conceived specifically as a way to promote this agricultural excellence, which has now become a small identity-defining brand for the town.

The culinary trail

Stalls from local associations and businesses line Via Roma, open from morning until evening. Among the most popular specialties are:

• Broccoli and sausage sandwich, the event's signature dish, and the version with pancetta
• Broccoli and bean soup, a traditional winter peasant recipe
• Polenta with pork spare ribs in tomato sauce or the local Roccasecca version with broccoletti
• Rustic sfogliatella filled with broccoli, fried pizza, and frionza
• Gnocchi with broccoletti cream, savory crepes, and lamb skewers
• Local wines and typical Ciociaria products

Christmas market and crafts

The early December timing makes the festival one of the area's first Christmas-themed events. The village lights up, nativity scenes appear, and the Christmas market fills the center with local craft stalls and gift ideas. A Santa Claus village is set up for children, featuring shows, games, and pony rides, while folk groups, bagpipers, and live music perform throughout the streets.

Discovering medieval Roccasecca

One of the elements that distinguishes this festival from many other culinary events in Lazio is its cultural component. On the day of the Immaculate Conception, the P.A.M.A. Association offers guided tours and urban trekking walks to discover the old village and the Castle of the Counts of Aquino, linked to the figure of Saint Thomas Aquinas, who according to tradition was born right here around 1225. The climb toward the castle ruins offers a sweeping view of the valley and naturally connects the pleasure of the table with the history of the town.

Why it's worth the trip

The Broccoletto Festival is an authentic popular event, organized by volunteers and merchants without grand artifice: you eat standing up in the street, chat with locals, and step into the shops. It is the best way to experience the winter cuisine of the province of Frosinone and to visit a village that, off the beaten tourist path, preserves a significant historical heritage in Lazio.