De.Co. Rice Pilaf Festival

Rice Pilaf, the Identity of Castel d'Ario

The De.Co. Rice Pilaf Festival celebrates the signature dish of Castel d'Ario, a municipality in the Province of Mantua. Rice pilaf is a Municipal Designation (De.Co.) product with peasant roots: it owes its name to the "piloti," those in charge of hulling rice in the Mantua rice fields, and is prepared with a precise technique that leaves the grain dry and separated, seasoned with pork "pisto" (a type of mince).

Three Weekends of Celebration

The event takes place over three weekends in May and is held at the Festival Area of Castel d'Ario, in the shadow of the castle, on Corso Garibaldi. The kitchen offers rice pilaf in its traditional version, alongside a menu rich in typical Mantuan dishes and alternative risottos. The rice used is valued as an eco-sustainable, eco-solidary, and zero-kilometer product, emphasizing its connection to the territory.

At the Table and in Good Company

The format is that of a typical Mantuan village festival: dinner every evening and, on Sundays, also lunch. Each evening is accompanied by shows and musical entertainment, making the festival an occasion for conviviality for families and groups of friends. The event is organized by the Pro Loco Casteldariese with the patronage of the Municipality.

Why It's Worth It

Tasting rice pilaf right in Castel d'Ario, where it is recognized as a De.Co. product and where the rice-growing tradition is part of the town's history, is an experience that combines taste and culture. With its three weeks of celebration, it is also one of the longest and most popular gastronomic events on the Mantua calendar.