Maccheroni al Ferretto Festival

A festival that tells the soul of the village

The Maccheroni al Ferretto Festival is the signature event of Mongiuffi Melia, a tiny municipality in the Metropolitan City of Messina perched on the Peloritani Mountains, in the hinterland of the Ionian coast near Taormina. Established in 2023, the event has quickly become an occasion for the entire community to gather, rediscover, and share its gastronomic and folk traditions, marking the start of the village's pre-Easter celebrations.

The star dish: maccheroni al ferretto

The highlight of the evening is the maccheroni al ferretto, fresh pasta made by hand by rolling the dough around a thin knitting needle, following an ancient Sicilian peasant technique. They are served with a classic goat meat sauce and baked ricotta, accompanied by local new wine. A dish humble in its origins but incredibly rich in flavor, it reflects the rural culture of the Peloritani and the village's deep bond with shepherding and the land.

Beyond gastronomy: art, culture, and traditions

The festival is much more than just a food tasting. The streets and squares of the historic center come alive with folk songs echoing off the stone walls, moments of local art and culture, and video projections dedicated to the village's customs. Particularly evocative are the images of the Lunedì degli Angeli (Monday of the Angels), the ancient Easter rite that reenacts the meeting between the Virgin Mary and the Risen Jesus, one of the most heartfelt celebrations in Mongiuffi Melia.

Where and when

The event takes place in the center of the village, around Piazza San Nicolò di Bari and the surrounding historic areas, usually in the weeks leading up to Easter. The festival is organized by the Municipality of Mongiuffi Melia in collaboration with the San Nicolò di Bari Parish, reflecting the strong bond between civil and religious life that characterizes the feast.

An immersion in authentic Sicily

Visiting the Maccheroni al Ferretto Festival means discovering a genuine Sicily far from the major tourist flows: an inland village in the Messina province where the table becomes a collective ritual and traditions are passed down from generation to generation. It is an ideal experience for those seeking true flavors, village hospitality, and festive atmospheres in the greenery of the Peloritani.