Festival of Lu Bucculotte cu lu Crastate

A Festival That Reigns Supreme in Grottammare's Summer

In the heart of summer, the Festival of Lu Bucculotte cu lu Crastate transforms the square of the Madonna della Speranza Church, along the SP Valtesino, into one of the most frequented spots in Grottammare, a seaside town in the province of Ascoli Piceno, in the Marche region. For almost twenty years, this festival has been considered by locals as the "queen of festivals" in the area: an event that draws many people from the Piceno region and the Adriatic coast, attracted by a dish not easily found elsewhere.

The Dish: Lu Bucculotte cu lu Crastate

The absolute star is lu bucculotte cu lu crastate, the specialty of the San Martino neighborhood. Bucculotte is a thick, hollowed wheat pasta, produced specifically by a local pasta maker, while crastate is the mutton (castrated ram) used to prepare a long-simmered, flavorful sauce. The recipe arrived here about sixty years ago from a woman from Atri, in Abruzzo, and has since become part of the community's heritage.

The preparation of the sauce requires extraordinary patience: it starts with a soffritto of onion or shallot with oil and chili pepper, the mutton chunks are browned, seasoned with salt and marjoram—which tempers the meat's gamey flavor—and then simmered for eleven to twelve hours with tomato. Alongside the main dish, stands also offer stew, arrosticini (lamb skewers), and other flavors of the Piceno and Abruzzo tradition.

Neighborhood and Parish Festival

The festival is organized by the Parish of Madonna della Speranza and its committee of volunteers. More than just a gastronomic event, it's a moment of gathering for the neighborhood: the proceeds support the activities of parish associations and community expenses. Among the steaming food stalls, you can feel an authentic atmosphere, made of shared tables, conversations, and home-style cooking prepared by those who have known the recipe for generations.

Music and Entertainment

The evenings are accompanied by live music, group dancing, karaoke, and entertainment for children, in a familiar and popular atmosphere. The formula is that of great village summer festivals: people arrive at dusk, dine outdoors with the typical dish, and stay late enjoying music and socializing. In case of bad weather, the covered areas of the parish allow the festival to continue without interruption.