Gnocchi al Tegamino Festival

Gnocchi al tegamino: a dish that is a celebration in itself

The Gnocchi al Tegamino Festival is the most anticipated summer event in Statigliano, a small hamlet in the Municipality of Roccaromana, in the province of Caserta, nestled in the green heart of the Alto Casertano region in Campania. For over twenty years, the community has gathered in Piazza Santa Margherita to celebrate a humble dish that has become a symbol of their collective identity: cavati, gnocchi made solely from flour, water, and salt, which here are not simply served on a plate but gratinated in small terracotta pots.

The recipe from the grandmothers of Statigliano

The secret of the festival lies in the hands of the local grandmothers, who knead flour, water, and salt according to an ancient recipe and then "cave" (hollow out) each piece of pasta by hand, giving them their characteristic shape. After an initial boiling, the gnocchi are dressed with ragù and grated caciocavallo cheese, then slow-baked in the clay pots: the sauce thickens, the cheese melts into a golden crust, and the pasta absorbs every drop of flavor. It is the same technique once used by families who would bring their own pots to the village's communal oven, turning the cooking process into a moment of shared community.

A festival tied to the patron saint

The event is more than just a gastronomic gathering; it is an integral part of the celebrations in honor of Saint Margaret of Antioch, the patron saint of Statigliano, celebrated on July 20th (and again on the third Sunday of May). For this reason, the festival is traditionally held in the period leading up to the feast, when the hamlet fills with returning emigrants, relatives, and visitors from neighboring towns. The event is promoted and organized by the Santa Margherita Association, supported by the Festival Committee.

Beyond gnocchi: the rural cuisine of Alto Casertano

Alongside the signature dish, the food stalls offer a complete repertoire of local traditional recipes:

• Polenta and pasta e fasuri (pasta and beans);
• cured meats and local pork products;
• the caso forte of Statigliano, a typical cheese with a bold, distinct flavor;
• Troiano figs, a historic variety of the territory;
• rustic pizzas and focaccias baked fresh on-site;
• traditional desserts and local wine.

The evenings are rounded off with games, dancing, and folk music, with long outdoor tables that capture the authentic atmosphere of a village feast.

Statigliano, the Via Francigena, and the Norman Tower

The festival is also an opportunity to discover an off-the-beaten-path corner of inland Campania. Statigliano lies along the route of the Via Francigena del Sud and lives in the shadow of Monte Castello, where the Norman Tower of Roccaromana stands at an altitude of about 450 meters, offering a panoramic view toward the Matese massif. The village, with its stone houses and narrow alleys, is just over twenty minutes from Caserta and is an ideal stop for those seeking slow tourism and authentic, ancestral cuisine.

Why attend

• Taste a dish that is unique in Italy: gnocchi gratinated in a terracotta pot.
• Experience a genuinely local festival, run by volunteers from the local association.
• Discover the typical products of the Alto Casertano, from the caso forte cheese to Troiano figs.
• Visit the Norman Tower and a stretch of the Via Francigena del Sud.
• Outdoor evenings with free admission, suitable for families.