Midsummer Polenta Festival

Summer polenta in the heart of the Peligna Valley

The Midsummer Polenta Festival is a culinary highlight that brings Pettorano sul Gizio to life every August. Located in the L'Aquila province of Abruzzo, this charming mountain village is recognized as one of Italy's most beautiful and overlooks the Monte Genzana Alto Gizio Regional Nature Reserve. The event takes place in the picturesque Piazza Rosario Zannelli, right in front of Ristorante Il Torchio, and has become a much-anticipated tradition for both locals and visitors.

The tradition of polenta in Pettorano

In Pettorano sul Gizio, polenta is more than just a meal; it is a symbol of memory and identity. Once the humble sustenance of charcoal burners working in the Genzana woods, it is now a delicacy enjoyed by all generations. The village has preserved this tradition for decades, also celebrated during the historic winter Polenta Festival. This summer version brings the same convivial spirit to the warmer months, when the village welcomes tourists and those returning to their roots.

The menu: mountain, sea, and land polenta

The star of the show is the polenta, prepared by chef Michele Ciccolella—who has been upholding traditional culinary practices for over forty years—in three thematic variations:

• Mountain: white with bacon and pecorino cheese, or red with lamb sauce and pecorino;
• Sea: with octopus sauce, or cod and saffron;
• Land: with mushrooms, or with mugnoli (a local variety of broccoli rabe), garlic, oil, and chili pepper.

Alongside the polenta, you will find crustole, another emblem of Pettorano tradition, served in sweet versions (sugar and cinnamon, honey, hazelnut cream, pistachio cream, or fruit) and savory versions (rosemary, ham, cheese, anchovies, or tomato). The experience is rounded off with selected wines, traditional liqueurs like ratafia, and artisanal desserts.

A convivial Abruzzo ritual

The Midsummer Polenta Festival is more than just a food fair: it is a gathering that blends culture, identity, and local promotion. In an authentic village like Pettorano sul Gizio, amidst stone alleys and mountain vistas, the event tells the story of the Peligna Valley's culinary soul and invites citizens, tourists, and food lovers to share a table. It is a genuine way to discover the heart of Abruzzo through its most authentic flavors.