Gnocchi and Pecora alla Callara Festival

A festival of pastoral flavors in Abruzzo

The Gnocchi and Pecora alla Callara Festival is one of the most anticipated summer gastronomic events in Carpineto della Nora, a small town in the Province of Pescara, Abruzzo. For three evenings, the village's historic center, nestled at the foot of the Gran Sasso within the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park, transforms into a stage of aromas, flavors, and music. Organized by the Pro Loco of Carpineto della Nora, the festival attracts visitors from neighboring towns and the Pescara coast, united by the desire to rediscover traditional peasant and pastoral dishes.

Pecora alla callara, a dish of transhumance

The signature dish of the event is pecora alla callara, which owes its name to the cauldron (the 'callara') once hung from the fireplace chain and cooked directly over the fire. It is an archaic preparation linked to the transhumance pastoralism that for centuries marked the life of these Apennine villages: the sheep meat is cooked for many hours with herbs and spices until it becomes incredibly tender. Alongside the sheep, the other star is the handmade gnocchi, served with savory traditional sauces.

The flavors of the festival

In addition to the two main dishes, the food stalls offer numerous Abruzzo specialties:

• Arrosticini (sheep skewers) grilled to perfection
• Pallotte cacio e ova, typical cheese and bread dumplings
• Sausages and grilled meats
• Rabbit and other traditional peasant-style main courses
• Traditional desserts and local wines

Live music and festive atmosphere

The evenings are enlivened by live music, which accompanies the tastings and creates a festive and engaging atmosphere among the village alleys. The festival is an opportunity to experience the hospitality of a small town in the Abruzzo hinterland and to discover a territory rich in nature, between the Nora River and the trails of the Gran Sasso.

A summer appointment in the heart of Abruzzo

Traditionally, the event takes place in early August, during the period of the great summer festivals that animate the villages of the province of Pescara. Immersed in an exceptional landscape, the Gnocchi and Pecora alla Callara Festival combines the pleasure of good food with the rediscovery of the pastoral roots of Abruzzo, in a simple and authentic atmosphere.