Montanara Festival

A village festival born from a humble dish

The Montanara Festival is one of the youngest and most popular gastronomic events on the calendar in Pofi, a town in the province of Frosinone, in southern Lazio. Launched just a few years ago by the Gruppo Folklore Pofano, the festival has quickly gained a loyal following of local families and visitors from neighboring Ciociaria towns.

The undisputed star is the montanara: a disc of leavened dough fried in boiling oil, served hot and topped with tomato sauce, cheese, and basil. This Neapolitan-inspired preparation has long been part of the popular cuisine of southern Lazio, becoming one of the most widespread street foods during spring and summer festivals.

Where it takes place

The festival is held at the Palatenda Comunale on Via San Giorgio, a covered venue that allows for a dining area and dance floor even in case of bad weather—a significant detail for an event held between spring and early summer. In previous editions, the festivities also extended to Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, the heart of Pofi's historic center.

Pofi sits on a ridge overlooking the Sacco Valley, a short distance from Ceccano, Ceprano, and Frosinone: a location that makes the festival easily accessible for those arriving via the A1 motorway or the Casilina road.

What to eat

The dining area is organized with the classic Ciociaria festival system: order at the cash desk and collect your food at the counters, where the montanare are fried to order right in front of you. Alongside the classic version, other traditional offerings are available:

• Classic Montanara with tomato, cheese, and basil
• Variations stuffed with local toppings and regional products
• Other traditional Ciociaria fried foods
• Local wine, beer, and soft drinks
• Traditional peasant-style desserts

Music, dancing, and atmosphere

The Montanara Festival is about more than just food. Each evening features live music, entertainment, and group dancing that keeps the crowd engaged until late. It is the typical atmosphere of Frusinate village festivals: long tables, different generations sitting together, and local association volunteers alternating between the stoves and service.

The event has free admission: you only pay for what you consume, with the affordable prices typical of local village festivals. It is designed for everyone, including families with children.

The role of the Gruppo Folklore Pofano

Behind the festival is the Gruppo Folklore Pofano, an association that has worked for years to promote the town's folk traditions: songs, dances, costumes, and rural heritage. For the group, the Montanara Festival is both a fundraising opportunity and a showcase for their activities, featuring performances and moments dedicated to local folklore.

Discovering Pofi and Ciociaria

Visitors coming for the festival can take the opportunity to explore the village: the historic center preserves its medieval layout, with its tower and narrow streets winding toward the upper part of the town. Pofi also houses the Prehistoric Museum, linked to the paleontological and Paleolithic findings of the Sacco Valley, among the most significant in Lazio.

All around lies Ciociaria, a land of extra virgin olive oil, local wines, homemade bread, and cheeses like pecorino. It is a setting where a festival dedicated to a simple dish like the montanara perfectly captures the gastronomic identity of the territory: few ingredients, well-prepared, and shared in the town square.