Buonacompra Salama da Sugo I.G.P. Festival

A festival dedicated to Ferrara's symbolic cured meat

The Buonacompra Salama da Sugo I.G.P. Festival is one of the most beloved food and wine events in the Ferrara area. It takes place in the hamlet of Buonacompra, in the Municipality of Cento (province of Ferrara, in Emilia-Romagna), and celebrates salama da sugo, the most characteristic and prized cured meat in Ferrara's gastronomic tradition, recognized with the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) mark.

What is salama da sugo

Salama da sugo is a pork sausage enriched with an abundant mixture of spices – including pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves – and bathed in red wine. After a long aging period, it is slow-cooked for a long time until it becomes soft and creamy. Its most classic and iconic pairing is with mashed potatoes, which complement its intense and spicy flavor. It is a dish from Ferrara's peasant cuisine, once reserved for special occasions, now a guardian of a tradition that the festival helps to preserve and pass down.

The festival menu

The food stands, run by volunteers from the Buonacompra community, offer a rich menu entirely dedicated to the star cured meat. Among the offerings:

• Tribute to Salama: tasting platter with salama pie, raw sliced salama, and salama with mashed potatoes
• First courses: pumpkin tortelloni with salama, risotto with salama, salama pie
• Main courses: salama da sugo with mashed potatoes, fillet, cutlet
• Side dishes: mashed potatoes, French fries, rainbow salad

A tradition spanning decades

In 2026, the festival will reach its 49th edition, a sign of continuity that is rare among village festivals in the Ferrara region. After a few years of suspension, the event has returned with renewed vigor and is now a reference point for lovers of traditional cuisine, who flock to Buonacompra every year from all over the province of Ferrara and surrounding areas of Emilia-Romagna.

Atmosphere and hospitality

The festival takes place at the municipal multipurpose hall, in a covered and heated environment that ensures comfort even on cooler days. The atmosphere is that of authentic village festivals: convivial tables, service provided by volunteers, and a strong sense of identity for the entire Buonacompra community, which comes together during the festival and welcomes visitors warmly.