Festival of Crispella and Mezzemaniche with Truffle

A historic festival in the land of truffles

The Festival of Crispella and Mezzemaniche with Truffle is one of the most beloved and long-standing gastronomic events of the Marche summer. It takes place in Roccafluvione, a small inland municipality in the province of Ascoli Piceno, in the heart of an area famous for truffle hunting: here you can find four prized varieties, from white to black truffle, from summer truffle to the uncinato. This product is central to the identity of the festival, which has been attracting visitors from all over the Marche for decades.

Crispelle and mezzemaniche

The dish that gives the festival its name is the crispella, a simple fritter made from water, flour, and yeast, fried in boiling oil and then stuffed: the classic version is with ham, but the star of the evening is the one with truffle. The other great protagonist is mezzemaniche with truffle, a simple and generous pasta dish that smells of the undergrowth. Over the years, the menu has been enriched with truffle and pancetta sandwiches and many other specialties of Piceno cuisine, always prepared by Pro Loco volunteers.

Folklore, crafts, and music

The festival is not just a celebration of taste. Alongside the food stalls, two traditional events come to life: the Piceno Folklore Review, with performances by local folklore groups, and the 'Sacce fà' fair, an exhibition-market dedicated to crafts and DIY. Every evening, there is also live music that enlivens the square and the event spaces until late at night.

When and where

The event traditionally takes place in the third week of August, over three evenings, at the sports facilities (the Palasport) of Roccafluvione, with food stalls opening in the early evening. It is a perfect opportunity to discover an authentic village in the Piceno Apennines, far from the coast, and to taste the most genuine flavors of the inner Marche region.