Molinella Eel and Frog Festival (Spring Edition)

A festival celebrating valley cuisine

When spring arrives, the hamlet of Traghetto, in the Municipality of Molinella (Metropolitan City of Bologna, Emilia-Romagna), is once again filled with the aromas of the valleys' gastronomic tradition. The Eel and Frog Festival, in its spring edition, is an eagerly awaited event for those who love the cuisine of the border between Bologna and the nearby Ferrara region, where water, reclaimed valleys, and the countryside have always dictated the flavors of the table.

Eel, frogs, and local dishes

The absolute stars are grilled eel and fried frogs, two signature specialties of this strip of plain. Alongside them, the festival's kitchen offers a wide selection: frogs in sauce and frog risotto, mixed fried fish, grilled monkfish, mussels, seafood risotto, Adriatic fish grill, squid and shrimp skewers, up to more rustic offerings like polenta with ragù. The cooks from the local club showcase their creativity, preparing the most requested dishes from the menus that have made this festival famous far beyond the municipal borders.

A popular and convivial event

The festival is organized by the "Walter Tinarelli" PD Club of Molinella, which holds two editions of the event each year: a winter one, between February and March, and this spring one in May. The event takes place in the large square of the former Eridania Sugar Factory, along Provincial Road 7 in the hamlet of Traghetto, heading towards Molinella. It is a village festival in the truest sense of the word: convivial tables, service provided by volunteers, and a concrete focus on the local community, making this festival a classic for weekend gastronomic outings in the low Bolognese plain.

How it works

Service follows a precise schedule: Saturday for dinner (starting from 7:30 PM), Sunday for lunch (starting from 12:00 PM). Takeaway is also available. Table reservation is mandatory, to be made by calling the club's number.