Garrufo con Gusto – Saragolla Maccheroncino Festival

The Saragolla maccheroncino takes center stage in Garrufo

In the heart of the Val Vibrata, in the province of Teramo, the village of Garrufo in the municipality of Sant'Omero hosts one of the most anticipated food festivals in Abruzzo every summer: Garrufo con Gusto – Saragolla Maccheroncino Festival. For a week, usually from August 2nd to 8th, the central Piazza XXV Aprile transforms into a large open-air restaurant where the absolute star is the Saragolla maccheroncino, a pasta made from an ancient grain grown in the local area.

A dish of peasant tradition

Saragolla is a variety of durum wheat with ancient roots, rediscovered and promoted precisely thanks to events like this one. The festival's signature dish is Saragolla maccheroncino with rooster ragù, a robust and flavorful sauce rooted in the humble cuisine of the Teramo countryside. Alongside the main dish, the stalls offer other local specialties such as Pollo Imperiale, the essential arrosticini, pasta alla chitarra, fried calzoni, fried cheese, fried olives from the Vibrata valley, and sausage sandwiches.

A Quality Festival

Organized with passion by the Pro Loco Garrufo APS, the event has earned the prestigious Sagra di Qualità (Quality Festival) recognition awarded by the UNPLI (National Union of Pro Loco of Italy), a mark that honors authentic festivals capable of promoting local products, tradition, and hospitality. This achievement has solidified Garrufo con Gusto as a benchmark event in the Teramo summer calendar.

A festive community atmosphere

The food stalls open every evening from 7:00 PM and remain active until late. However, the festival is not just an opportunity to enjoy traditional dishes: the evenings are enlivened by live music, shows, and entertainment for all ages, in a popular festive atmosphere that brings together the entire Garrufo community and numerous visitors from all over Abruzzo and beyond.

A village to discover

Located in the hilly hinterland just a few kilometers from the Adriatic coast, Sant'Omero and its village of Garrufo represent an ideal stop for those who want to discover authentic Abruzzo, characterized by small villages, food and wine traditions, and hospitality. The festival is the perfect opportunity to combine the pleasure of good food with the discovery of a territory rich in history and flavor.