Pasta del Vergaro Festival

The Pasta del Vergaro Festival

Every August 12th, the village of Roccasalli in the municipality of Accumoli (Rieti province) comes alive for the Pasta del Vergaro Festival. It is one of the most authentic gastronomic events in the upper Tronto Valley, located in the mountainous Lazio region bordering Abruzzo and the Marche. Established in the early 2000s by the local community, the festival has now surpassed its twenty-first edition, becoming a staple of the summer season in the Amatriciana area.

What is Pasta del Vergaro?

Pasta del Vergaro is the quintessential shepherd's dish, inextricably linked to the transhumance. When flocks were moved from the Roman countryside to mountain pastures, they were accompanied by a hierarchy of men with specific roles. Among them was the Vergaro, the person responsible for managing the shepherds, their movements, and the custody of dairy products. This hearty, rustic dish is dedicated to him. A close relative of Amatriciana and Gricia, it is prepared with short pasta, cured pork belly (ventresca), fresh and dried ricotta, pecorino cheese, black pepper, and a splash of brandy.

The Festival Program

For years, the day has followed a set ritual that blends gastronomy, tradition, and rural memory:

• Roccasalli Fair in the afternoon, featuring stalls with local products and handicrafts;
• Exhibition of vintage photographs and tools related to shepherding, documenting the culture of transhumance;
• Opening of the festival in the late afternoon with the tasting of Pasta del Vergaro;
• Folk dances, songs, and traditions, with live music accompanying the evening;
• Drawing of the Vergaro Lottery to close the day.

The festival also hosts the pairs morra tournament, now in its eighteenth year, which attracts enthusiasts of this ancient pastoral game from all over central Italy.

A Symbol of Rebirth

Accumoli was one of the towns at the epicenter of the 2016 Central Italy earthquake. Over the years, the Pasta del Vergaro Festival has taken on a significance that goes beyond gastronomy: it is a gesture of resilience and rebirth for a community that continues to gather around its flavors and traditions. Participating means concretely supporting a wounded yet vibrant territory.

In the Gran Sasso National Park

Roccasalli is located in the heart of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park, amidst a landscape of pastures and mountains that perfectly explains the pastoral origins of the dish. The festival is the perfect opportunity to discover a lesser-known corner of Lazio, featuring hiking, villages under reconstruction, and simple, genuine high-altitude cuisine.