Penne all'Arrabbiata Festival

The festival celebrating penne all'arrabbiata

In the small village of Ponte Basso, a hamlet of the municipality of Castel Sant'Angelo in the province of Rieti, one of the longest-running and most beloved festivals in the Velino Valley takes place every summer. The Penne all'Arrabbiata Festival has surpassed fifty editions and remains a fixed appointment on the Rieti calendar, drawing food enthusiasts from across the valley and neighboring towns.

A simple dish, a tradition over half a century old

The undisputed stars of the evening are the penne all'arrabbiata, prepared according to the traditional recipe: pasta tossed in a tomato sauce enlivened by chili pepper, served hot at long outdoor tables. According to local lore, one of the roots of this famous spicy dish, now known throughout Italy, lies right here in this corner of the Rieti Sabina. The penne is accompanied by sausage and grilled bacon, served hot straight from the grill.

Music, dancing, and village festival atmosphere

The festival is about more than just food: after dinner, the village comes alive with live music. In recent years, the evening has been energized by the young New Sound orchestra, providing music and songs until late at night. The atmosphere is that of a genuine, convivial village celebration, with outdoor tables, lights, and the scent of the grill in the August evening air.

Organization

The event is organized by the 'Amici di Ponte' Cultural Association, which gathers local volunteers every year to bring together, as tradition dictates, 'food lovers from the Velino Valley and beyond.' Admission is free, and you only pay for what you order at the food stalls.

Castel Sant'Angelo and the Velino Valley

Castel Sant'Angelo is a small town in Lazio, nestled along the Via Salaria a few kilometers from Rieti, in a territory rich in history and nature: here you will find the famous Terme di Cotilia, Lake Paterno, and springs that make the area one of the most picturesque in the province. The Penne all'Arrabbiata Festival is the ideal opportunity to discover this corner of the Rieti Sabina, combining the pleasure of good food with the discovery of an authentic territory.