Ornano Grande Frittella Festival

A peasant tradition of the Gran Sasso

The Ornano Grande Frittella Festival is one of the most anticipated culinary events of the Teramo summer. It takes place in Ornano Grande, a small village in the municipality of Colledara, in the province of Teramo, at the foot of the Gran Sasso massif in Abruzzo. Organized by the Circolo Culturale Ornano Grande with the patronage of the Colledara municipality, the event transforms the central Piazza Venezia every July into a vibrant meeting point for residents, returning locals, and visitors from across the region.

The Ornano frittella, the star of the show

The absolute star is the Ornano frittella, a leavened dough that is worked, rolled out, and fried by hand following a recipe passed down by the village women. The classic version is filled with prosciutto, cheeses, local cured meats, and a special mushroom sauce, but over the years, numerous variations have been added to enrich the menu:

• frittella with tomato and peppers;
• frittella with eggs and peppers;
• frittella with Colledara porchetta;
• sweet versions with creams, jams, and chocolate.

Alongside the frittella, the food stalls offer classics of Abruzzese cuisine: sheep arrosticini, fried cheese, potatoes, local pasta dishes, and draft beer. Everything is prepared and cooked on-site by the club's volunteers.

Music, fairground rides, and village atmosphere

Every evening, starting at 7:00 PM, the festival combines great food with entertainment: concerts and live shows take turns on the Piazza Venezia stage, featuring local bands, ballroom orchestras, and themed nights. There is also a fairground for children and a convivial atmosphere that makes the festival a true community moment for the entire area.

A village to discover

Attending the Ornano Grande Frittella Festival is also the perfect opportunity to discover Ornano Grande and the Colledara area, a gateway to the Teramo side of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park. It is a corner of authentic Abruzzo where culinary tradition intertwines with mountain landscapes and the warm hospitality of the local villages.