Feast of Saint Andrew with Boiled Meat Specialties

The Boiled Meat Festival of Tombolo

The Feast of Saint Andrew with Boiled Meat Specialties is the most anticipated autumn event in Tombolo, a municipality in the province of Padua bordering Cittadella. It takes place around the feast day of the patron saint Saint Andrew, celebrated on November 30th, and typically spans two weekends between late November and early December.

Boiled Meat, a Dish of Tradition

The heart of the festival is the 'lesso', a symbolic dish of Venetian peasant cuisine. The menu offered by the Pro Loco of Tombolo features an appetizer of 'musetto' (boiled beef cheek) with caramelized onions and Venetian chicken salad, a noodle soup, and most importantly, a grand main course of boiled beef, pork, and chicken with its side dishes, concluded with traditional desserts like 'pinza'. The festival's roots lie in the region's memory, linked to the history of cattle traders and merchants.

Market, Roasted Chestnuts, and Autumn Atmosphere

On Sunday mornings, the town comes alive with the artisan and local product market, with stalls selling roasted chestnuts, dried fruit, mulled wine, and hot chocolate. Lunch is served at tables, with ceramic plates, in a covered and heated venue: a convivial experience that attracts the residents of Tombolo and neighboring towns in the Veneto region every year.

A Festival by Reservation

Given the large turnout, the boiled meat lunch is exclusively available by reservation, with limited and numbered seating. This is how the Pro Loco ensures table service and the quality of the meal, keeping alive a ritual that combines taste, community, and devotion to the patron saint.