Cucuzzata Festival

The Cucuzzata Festival in Vitigliano

In the small village of Vitigliano, part of the municipality of Santa Cesarea Terme in the province of Lecce, one of the most beloved festivals in lower Salento returns every summer: the Cucuzzata Festival. Now in its fourth decade, the event is organized by the Vitigliano Festival Committee with the support of the local municipality and the Santa Cesarea thermal baths. It is traditionally held during the first week of August in the picturesque Piazzetta degli Angeli, the heart of the village overlooking the Otranto Channel.

What is the cucuzzata?

The cucuzzata is a rustic focaccia typical of this region, named after cucuzza (zucchini in the local Salento dialect). Prepared following an ancient recipe, the dough undergoes a slow fermentation and is topped with locally sourced ingredients: zucchini, tomatoes, onions, black olives, oregano, chili pepper, and extra virgin olive oil. Its surface is marked by characteristic hand-pressed dimples, resulting in a golden, fragrant, and soft crust.

For centuries, this focaccia served as a practical, easy-to-carry meal for field workers. It was the staple food of Salento farmers, now rediscovered and celebrated thanks to the Vitigliano festival. In 2025, the cucuzzata reached the BIT in Milan (International Tourism Exchange), where it was showcased during the Mani in Pasta workshop, highlighting the growing interest in this Puglian culinary tradition.

Gastronomy and folk music

During the festival evenings, the stalls in Piazzetta degli Angeli offer the cucuzzata in both its simple and stuffed versions, alongside numerous other Salento specialties. Tasting these local products is accompanied by folk music: the sounds of pizzica, tambourines, and traditional Grika melodies fill the village until late at night, creating a festive vibe that brings together both locals and tourists vacationing on the Adriatic coast of Salento.

A village to discover

The Cucuzzata Festival is also the perfect opportunity to explore Vitigliano and the Santa Cesarea Terme area, famous for its thermal waters and stunning sea views. It is a genuine, free-entry event that combines excellent food, rural traditions, and the warm hospitality of the most authentic Puglia.