La Stortellata in Selvena

A festival for the tortello of Mount Amiata

La Stortellata is the festival that celebrates one of the most beloved dishes of Mount Amiata in Selvena, a small village in the municipality of Castell'Azzara, Grosseto. We are in the southernmost corner of Tuscany, where chestnut forests and ancient cinnabar mines tell the story of a farming and mining community that has made simple, honest cooking its true identity.

The white Faggeto potato, the heart of the filling

The secret of La Stortellata lies in its filling. Unlike traditional Tuscan potato tortelli, this version uses the white Faggeto potato (also known as Biancona), an indigenous variety with soft, floury flesh and a delicate taste. Once nearly extinct, it was recovered and brought back into cultivation by the Selvena Pro Loco and its members, who have turned it into a symbol of local culinary heritage. The filling combines the potato with eggs, salt, pepper, and a hint of cinnamon, while the classic topping is a rich Tuscan meat sauce.

The special late-winter event

In addition to the main festival, traditionally held on the second weekend of September, La Stortellata also hosts a special late-winter event around the time of Carnival. It is the perfect opportunity to enjoy the Selvignano tortello out of season, in an intimate, rustic atmosphere gathered around the stands of the Casa del Minatore.

Music, conviviality, and authentic flavors

The festival is about more than just food: the evening is enlivened by live music, karaoke, and piano bars, in an informal setting that makes Selvena a meeting point for locals and visitors alike who venture up here to discover the villages of the inland Maremma. Everything is organized by the Pro Loco of Selvena, the true heart of this event, which thrives on the volunteer work of the community.

Selvena and the Grosseto Amiata

Visiting La Stortellata is also a great reason to explore Selvena and the territory of Castell'Azzara, including the Castle of Selvena (Rocca Silvana), the ancient mining sites, and the trails that wind through the forests of Mount Amiata. It is an authentic destination in a lesser-known part of Tuscany, where food remains the thread that connects the past to the present.