Carpino Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Fava Bean Festival

The festival celebrating the Fava di Carpino and Gargano olive oil

Every year on August 12th, the village of Carpino (in the province of Foggia, in the heart of the Gargano National Park) dedicates an entire evening to its two iconic products: the Fava di Carpino and extra virgin olive oil. The Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Fava Bean Festival has become a staple of the Gargano summer, drawing thousands of residents, tourists, and curious foodies to the historic center in search of the authentic flavors of rural Puglia.

The Fava di Carpino, a Slow Food Presidium

The true queen of the festival is the Fava di Carpino, a small-seeded legume with a thin skin, rediscovered and promoted for over thirty years and now recognized as a Slow Food Presidium. Valued as a precious source of protein, the Carpino fava bean is a staple of local peasant cuisine: slow-cooked, mashed, or served with wild greens, it tells the story of a subsistence agriculture that has become a source of local identity and pride.

Gargano extra virgin olive oil

Alongside the fava beans, the other protagonist is extra virgin olive oil. Carpino is one of the Gargano's leading producers of high-quality oil, frequently winning awards in industry competitions, particularly for its organic production. The oil ties all the festival's dishes together, dressing the beans and vegetables and bestowing upon the tastings that intense, fruity aroma characteristic of the promontory's ancient olive groves.

What to eat at the festival

Along the route winding through the alleys and squares of the historic center, stalls offer various dishes based on fava beans, accompanied by vegetables or pasta, and always finished with local extra virgin olive oil. A must-try is pancotto, a humble dish found throughout the Gargano and Foggia area, symbolizing a culinary tradition built on a few genuine ingredients. The tastings are complemented by a market featuring local artisanal products, showcasing regional farms and producers.

Music, dance, and the village atmosphere

The evening is about more than just taste: the town streets come alive with live music, singing, and folk dancing performed by local groups. This is no coincidence, as Carpino is famous throughout Italy as a center for the Gargano tarantella and pizzica. These traditional sounds provide a natural soundtrack to the festival, turning the event into a true journey into the musical soul of Puglia.

A community-organized event

The event is organized by the Municipality of Carpino and promoted by the Pro Loco, in collaboration with Slow Food and various participating local farms. It is part of the Carpino Estate calendar, a season of events accompanying the town throughout August, featuring food festivals, concerts, patronal feasts in honor of Saint Roch, and the famous Carpino Folk Festival.

Why it's worth it

• An entire Gargano village dedicated to rustic flavors for an evening.
• The chance to taste a Slow Food Presidium in its place of origin.
• Folk music and dance linked to the great tradition of the Gargano tarantella.
• An opportunity to discover Carpino and the Gargano National Park in the height of summer.