Feast of Balanzòn and Pinzìn

The festival that made Casaglia the home of balanzòn

In the hamlet of Casaglia, a few kilometers from the center of Ferrara, the Festa dàl Balanzòn e dì Pinzìn is one of the most anticipated gastronomic events of the Ferrarese spring. For two weekends in May, the Sala Parrocchiale (Parish Hall) on Via Giovanni Ranuzzi transforms into a large community table, where the Pro Loco Casaglia offers the dishes that have made this small village in the Municipality of Ferrara, in Emilia-Romagna, a benchmark for lovers of local cuisine.

What are balanzoni

The balanzòn is a dish of humble origins, a "leftover" dish, adapted over time to local tastes until it became an identity specialty. It consists of green pasta tortelloni with spinach, with a filling similar to cappelletti — pork of various cuts and aged Parmigiano Reggiano — closed like a cappellaccio and dressed with ragù and a soft béchamel. A dish that connects Ferrara to neighboring provinces and that has found its home in Casaglia.

Pinzini, the street food of Ferrarese fairs

The other great protagonist is the pinzino (plural pinzini, a close relative of the Emilian gnocco fritto): a fried dough made from flour, lard, water, and salt, without yeast, which results in a crunchy and crumbly texture. It has always been the king of village fairs in the Ferrara area, served hot and stuffed with mixed cured meats, from zia ferrarese to salama da tai.

The festival menu

The Pro Loco stand offers a menu that focuses on the two specialties:

• Balanzoni — green tortelloni filled with meat, dressed with béchamel and ragù;
• Maccheroncini al ragù, as an alternative first course;
• Mixed cured meats with pinzini;
• Desserts of the day.

Tradition and conviviality

Born in the nineties and grown especially from 2014, the year of the local Pro Loco's foundation, the festival is now a fixed event on the festival calendar of the Province of Ferrara. The stand is covered, heated, and air-conditioned, so the festival takes place in all weather conditions, in an atmosphere of good food, tradition, and conviviality that attracts families and gourmets from all over the area.