Pedagaggi Prickly Pear Mustard Festival

The Mustard Festival at the "Gateway to the Iblei"

The Pedagaggi Prickly Pear Mustard Festival is one of the most beloved food and wine events on the northern slopes of the Iblei Mountains. It takes place every year in October in Pedagaggi, a small mountain village in the Municipality of Carlentini, in the province of Syracuse, nicknamed the "Gateway to the Iblei" for its position as a bridge between the Catania plain and the Iblean plateau. The event, organized by Pro Loco Pedagaggi, transforms the narrow streets of the ancient and charming San Cristoforo district into a journey of taste and tradition.

Prickly pear mustard, the queen of the festival

The heart of the event is the prickly pear mustard, a sweet preserve obtained by cooking the must of prickly pear fruits, thickened and then sun-dried according to the ancient recipe handed down by the village housewives. Alongside the dried mustard, you can taste fresh prickly pears, the iconic fruit of the Iblean countryside, in all their colorful varieties.

The flavors of the Iblei

The food and wine route offers a rich selection of specialties from traditional Sicilian peasant cuisine:

• Cavateddi with pork sauce, the traditional handmade fresh pasta
• Warm ricotta, freshly curdled, along with focaccia and homemade bread
• Porchetta, local cured meats, and cheeses
• Crispelle (sfinci) and homemade preserves
• Citrus fruits, wine, and extra virgin olive oil from the region

The stands remain open from morning until late at night, with an atmosphere of popular celebration that involves the entire village community.

Folklore and tradition

In addition to the tastings, the festival offers an entertainment program that recalls the village's rural roots: the characteristic drummer parade, performances by folk groups, and musical shows in the square accompany the days. The event is held under the patronage of the Municipality of Carlentini, the Free Municipal Consortium of Syracuse, and the Sicilian Region, and represents an event of strong identity value for Pedagaggi, capable of attracting visitors from all over eastern Sicily.

An event rooted in the territory

Now in its over thirty editions, the Mustard Festival is an integral part of the cultural identity of Pedagaggi and a precious opportunity to promote local products and tourism in the inland areas of the Syracuse province.