Caplaz Festival

The festival of the pumpkin cappellaccio in Scortichino

In the heart of the lower Ferrara region, in Scortichino, a hamlet of the Municipality of Bondeno in the province of Ferrara, the Sagra dal Caplaz is one of the most beloved and long-standing gastronomic events in the area. The festival is dedicated to the caplaz, the Ferrarese dialect name for pumpkin cappellaccio, the filled pasta that has been one of the identity dishes of eastern Emilia-Romagna for centuries.

What is caplaz

Caplaz is a fresh egg pasta, handmade, and filled with pumpkin pulp. Of humble and peasant origin, it was already appreciated at the Este court of Ferrara: it is distinguished from Modenese and Bolognese ravioli by the absence of meat in the filling and by a more rustic dough.

At the festival, it is served in its most classic versions, with ragù or with butter and sage, but also in more recent variations with cream and onion.

The specialties of the food stand

In addition to the absolute star, the covered stand at the sports field offers a rich menu of traditional Ferrarese and Emilian cuisine:

• First courses: caplaz trio, tagliatelle, wild boar pappardelle, maccheroni with ragù;
• Main courses: mixed grill, salamina da sugo with mashed potatoes, tagliata, straccetti;
• Side dishes: french fries, battered vegetables, large salads;
• Desserts: brazadela col vin dolz, zuppa inglese, tiramisu, tartufo, tarts.

A village festival that has been running for almost thirty years

The Sagra dal Caplaz is organized by S.P.D. Nuova Aurora, the football club of Scortichino, thanks to the work of about thirty volunteers. The proceeds support the activities of the local club, and the event is now a well-established tradition: the thirtieth edition was celebrated in 2025. The festival is an event that combines sporting passion, conviviality, and gastronomic tradition, involving the entire community of the town.

Two rounds, June and September

Unlike many festivals, the event is split into two distinct periods of the year, between the end of June and mid-September, thus offering two opportunities to taste caplaz. The food stand opens every evening at 7:30 PM; reservations are welcome. The evenings are often accompanied by music and entertainment, in the true spirit of an Emilian folk festival.