Chestnut and Zeppola Spignese Festival

An autumn festival in the heart of the Aurunci

The Chestnut and Zeppola Spignese Festival is the most anticipated autumn event in Spigno Saturnia, a small town in the province of Latina nestled on the slopes of the Aurunci Mountains in southern Lazio. For three days in mid-October, Piazza San Giovanni in Spigno Saturnia Superiore—the village's historic, hilltop core—fills with food stalls, the scent of roasted chestnuts, and music until late at night. Reaching its 38th edition in 2025, the festival is organized by the municipal administration together with local social and recreational associations, under the patronage of the Lazio Regional Council.

The zeppola spignese, a De.Co. chicory omelet

The name might be misleading: the zeppola spignese is not a dessert, but a unique savory dish. It is an eggless omelet made from chicory and wild herbs, which are boiled, squeezed, and pan-fried with extra virgin olive oil, garlic, and mint, with hints of vinegar and chili pepper. Its round, compact shape and intense green color make it unmistakable. It is a humble recipe with ancient roots—the term appears in a 17th-century text—born from the use of wild herbs gathered in the area and passed down for centuries in home kitchens. Since 2018, the zeppola spignese has been protected by the De.Co. (Municipal Denomination) label, guaranteeing its exclusive link to Spigno Saturnia. Alongside the classic version, you can also taste the frittata ceca, a variation made with onions.

Chestnuts and local products

The other star of the festival is the chestnut from the Aurunci woods, served primarily as crispy roasted chestnuts, perfect for enjoying while strolling through the village alleys. The stalls also offer a selection of the most representative local products from Spigno, in a territory that is part of the 'Città dell'Olio' (Cities of Oil) circuit: a great opportunity to discover the genuine flavors of the peasant tradition of southern Lazio.

A program of music and entertainment

The festival is designed for all ages: tastings are accompanied by music and dancing until late at night, as well as inflatables and entertainment for children. On Sunday, the event expands with a craft market and family-friendly entertainment in Piazza Canzana. Stalls open on Friday evening and remain active until midnight, with extended hours over the weekend.

Spigno Saturnia Superiore, a village to rediscover

The event is also an invitation to visit Spigno Vecchio, the largely uninhabited medieval historic center that local volunteers are working to promote and revitalize. Amidst stone houses and views of the Aurunci Mountains and the Gulf of Gaeta, the festival brings life back for a weekend to one of the most evocative and lesser-known villages in the Lazio Region.