Carnival in Vallagarina – Maccheronate of Ala and its hamlets

Carnival at the table in Vallagarina

In Vallagarina, the valley in lower Trentino crossed by the Adige river and overlooking Lake Garda, Carnival is not just about confetti and masks: it is above all a long season of maccheronate, the large village feasts that bring dozens of hamlets to life between January and April. The Municipality of Ala, with its numerous hamlets, is one of the beating hearts of this tradition, recognized as a gastronomic specialty of the entire Trentino region.

What is a maccheronata?

A maccheronata is a community feast where volunteers from a committee or social club cook and serve large quantities of pasta—most often macaroni with ragù—accompanied by local specialties: bigoi con le sardele (a long pasta shape served with sardines), polenta with sauerkraut and mortadella, gnocchi, and tripe. It is more than just lunch or dinner: it is a collective ritual, rooted in a sense of belonging and the joy of being together, which repeats from hamlet to hamlet during Carnival.

A centuries-old tradition

The roots of these festivals date back to the early 18th century, when polenta, the quintessential peasant food, was distributed in the villages of Vallagarina. After the war, monetary collections allowed for the purchase of ingredients for richer dishes, and the practice evolved into the structured social event we know today. In many hamlets, the same recipe has been served for over a century, a sign of a continuity that, while popular Carnival traditions fade elsewhere, persists in Vallagarina thanks to volunteer efforts.

The hamlets of Ala take center stage

In the territory of Ala, the calendar of maccheronate involves several hamlets, each with its own committee and menu:

• Santa Lucia di Ala – maccheronata organized by the Santa Lucia Recreational Club;
• Pilcante di Ala – maccheronata organized by the C.A.S. Pilcante, historically accompanied by tripe;
• Santa Margherita di Ala and Brustolotti di Ala – maccheronate organized by local committees;
• Serravalle di Ala – maccheronata with polenta, sauerkraut, and bigoi;
• Villalta di Ala – maccheronata organized by the local committee, with Piazza Buonacquisto as one of the traditional venues for the festivities.

Atmosphere and family

Around the steaming pots, every festival offers costume parades, shows for children, face painting, music, and raffles. The atmosphere is that of a convivial and inclusive village: many feasts now also include gluten-free options, ensuring no one is left out of the fun. It is Carnival in its most authentic and popular form, far from large tourist events and close to the daily life of the communities of Vallagarina, in the province of Trento.