Castrato al Ragù cù Maccarun r' Zit Festival

A festival born from a wedding banquet

In the Sele Valley, mutton (castrato) was the ultimate luxury for farming families: the animal was raised for months by the bride and groom's parents specifically for the wedding lunch. From this memory, over thirty years ago, the Castrato al Ragù cù Maccarun r' Zit Festival was born in Serradarce, a small hamlet of Campagna, in the province of Salerno, Campania. The dialect name says it all: «maccarun r' zit» literally means the bride and groom's macaroni—long ziti pasta that is broken by hand before being dropped into boiling water.

The signature dish

The ragù is the heart of the event. The mutton is simmered for hours until it becomes so tender it falls apart, infusing the sauce with an intense, unmistakable flavor rarely found elsewhere. The broken ziti arrive at the table coated in this thick sauce, finished with a generous grating of pecorino cheese and a grind of black pepper. It is a humble recipe only in appearance: it requires time, patience, and quantities that only a community kitchen can manage.

What to eat

• Ziti with mutton ragù, topped with grated pecorino and pepper
• Local veal chops cooked in the same sauce
• Ciambotta, a side dish of locally grown seasonal vegetables
• Fusilli, traditionally served on the final night
• Local red wine and homemade liqueurs, such as cerasiello

Serradarce, the village hosting the festival

Serradarce sits at an altitude of about 380 meters on the eastern side of the Campagna municipal territory, along the road connecting Eboli to Contursi Terme. It is a village of a few hundred inhabitants, grown around the church of Santa Maria del Buon Consiglio and the old railway station. For six nights in August, its narrow streets and small squares transform into a large open-air dining room, complete with long tables, field kitchens, and festive lights.

Singing, dancing, and good wine

The formula has remained unchanged for decades: dinner is served late, outdoors, followed by dancing. Folk music, live bands, and dance parties accompany every evening, in a friendly, informal atmosphere that is an integral part of the festival's appeal. Its hillside location also offers cooler evenings compared to the Sele plain, which is why the event is popular with visitors from Eboli, Battipaglia, and the city of Salerno.

Who organizes it

Behind the event is the O.P.E.R.A.R.E. Association, a group of volunteers active for over twenty years in promoting Serradarce. The festival is self-funded: the cooking, table service, and setup are handled entirely by local volunteers, and the proceeds are reinvested in projects and initiatives for the benefit of the hamlet.

When it takes place

The event traditionally falls in the first half of August, historically from August 8th to 13th, just before Ferragosto. The dates for the 2026 edition have not yet been officially announced: it is best to check the organizing association's channels and local press before planning your trip.