Paesi e Sapori

A showcase of local flavors

Paesi e Sapori is the major food and wine event that brings the center of Ovada, in the province of Alessandria, to life every spring. For three days, Piazza Martiri della Benedicta—the historic "Red Square" of the locals—fills with stalls, aromas, and crowds: over twenty Pro Loco and associations from the Ovada, Monferrato, and Acqui areas gather to share the specialties of their towns. The result is a gastronomic journey through dozens of villages all in one square.

Over thirty specialties to discover

The heart of the festival is food, strictly tied to local tradition. Among the most beloved offerings are agnolotti (a local De.Co. product), rabbit alla cremolinese, corzetti with walnut sauce, cheese-filled focaccia, gnocchetti with Castelmagno cheese, and hazelnut cake. There is no shortage of fried polenta, fried delicacies, filetto baciato, farinata, strawberry risotto, arancini, and the Fiazein di Battagliosi, another certified De.Co. excellence. Each association brings its own signature recipe to the square, totaling over thirty different dishes.

The Pro Loco as protagonists

The event is made possible by the numerous Pro Loco and associations that, edition after edition, bring the stalls to life: from Cremolino to Molare, from Tagliolo Monferrato to Cassinelle, from Belforte Monferrato to Montaldo Bormida, passing through Predosa, Morbello, and many other local entities. It is this network of volunteers, together with the Pro Loco of Ovada, that keeps alive a tradition of hospitality and fine cuisine that is the hallmark of the Monferrato region.

Not just food: music and entertainment

Alongside the dining, Paesi e Sapori offers a rich entertainment program: live music evenings that draw thousands of people, DJ sets, collective singing moments, and the "Paesi e Parole" lounge with guests and local personalities. A must-see is the Tombolozzo, the grand raffle with a hundred prizes donated by local merchants, a true convivial ritual that accompanies the entire weekend until the final draw on Sunday.

A spring appointment for Ovada

Included in the regional promotion project "Piemonte Fuori dal Comune," the event is one of the most anticipated dates in the spring calendar of Ovada and the entire Ovada Monferrato area. It is an opportunity to discover a corner of Piedmont suspended between hills, Dolcetto di Ovada vineyards, and ancient villages, while eating well in good company.