Fësta d'la Fricia – Grand Piedmontese Mixed Fry Festival

The Festival of the Grand Piedmontese Mixed Fry

Every spring, Villamiroglio—a village of about three hundred residents nestled in the hills of the Lower Monferrato near Alessandria—celebrates one of the most iconic dishes of Piedmontese tradition: the grand mixed fry, known locally in dialect as fricia. The Fësta d'la Fricia is a delicious event deeply rooted in local identity, organized by the Villamiroglio Pro Loco and hosted in the Salone Sociale in Piazza San Vito, in the heart of the village.

A Dish of Peasant Origins

The Piedmontese mixed fry has its roots in the rural culture of the Monferrato region, dating back to times when livestock was slaughtered at home and nothing went to waste. It is a complex and generous dish consisting of a sequence of sweet and savory bites: meats, offal, vegetables, amaretti cookies, semolina, and fruit, each breaded and fried to order. The classic version consists of fourteen pieces, served hot and accompanied by bagnè verd, the traditional green sauce made with parsley, garlic, and anchovies.

The Identity of a Small Village

Villamiroglio is located in the Valcerrina Hill Community, about thirty kilometers from Casale Monferrato. Its Pro Loco, founded in 1975, is one of the most active associations in the area and proudly preserves local gastronomic traditions: from cured meats like muletta and Monferrato lard to tajarin, agnolotti, and the famous veal with tuna sauce. The Fësta d'la Fricia is the moment when this heritage becomes a shared meal, prepared with artisanal care despite the large number of guests.

Part of the Golosaria Monferrato Itineraries

The festival is part of the Golosaria Monferrato itineraries, the major food and wine event that involves dozens of towns across the provinces of Alessandria and Asti every year. Villamiroglio is included in the route that also touches Gabiano and the Abbey of Vezzolano, offering visitors the chance to combine the 'fricia' lunch with guided tours, wine tastings, and walks through the Monferrato hills, a wine-growing landscape recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

An Authentic Experience

Attending the Fësta d'la Fricia means sitting at the table with the community of Villamiroglio, savoring a cuisine that tells centuries of rural history, and discovering a genuine, lesser-known corner of Piedmont. It is a perfect occasion for those seeking the true flavors of the region, far from mass tourism, in a welcoming and familiar atmosphere.