Penne alla Boscaiola with Porcini Mushrooms Festival

One of Irpinia's longest-running food festivals

In Torelli, a village in the municipality of Mercogliano in the province of Avellino (Campania), the end of August has been synonymous with the Penne alla Boscaiola with Porcini Mushrooms Festival for over thirty years. Born in 1990 from a casual conversation among friends, the event has grown into one of the most anticipated gastronomic gatherings at the foot of the Partenio massif: the 27th edition was celebrated in 2017, the 30th anniversary in 2023, and the 32nd edition in 2025.

The festival is not an isolated event; it is part of the celebrations in honor of Saint Nicholas of Bari and Saint Anthony of Padua, organized by the San Nicola di Bari Parish of Torelli in collaboration with the Pro Loco Mercogliano, with the support of the local municipal administration and the help of local youth and the Misericordia del Partenio. For the town, it is more than just a food festival; it is a true symbol of identity that has united generations for three decades.

The signature dish

The undisputed stars are the penne alla boscaiola with porcini mushrooms, the dish that gives the festival its name and encapsulates the Irpinian peasant tradition. Alongside them, the kitchen offers the typical Torelli-style plate, cavatelli and beans with porcini mushrooms, paccheri, sausage or roast pork sandwiches accompanied by side dishes prepared by the local women, fries, and desserts. In recent years, the kitchen has been led by Mercogliano chef Angelo Limone, who has added street-food-inspired options to the historic pasta dishes; a gluten-free menu with dedicated sandwiches and desserts is also available.

Menu and prices

Prices remain intentionally affordable. In the 2025 edition, the price list was as follows:

• Penne alla boscaiola with porcini mushrooms — €5.50
• Cavatelli and beans with porcini mushrooms — €5.00
• «Fuori Norma» Paccheri — €5.50
• Typical Torelli-style plate — €5.50
• Sausage sandwich with side dish — €4.00
• Roast pork sandwich with side dish — €5.50
• Portion of fries — €3.00; hot dog — €3.00
• Assorted desserts, including gluten-free options — €3.00
• Aglianico wine: €1.00 per glass, €6.00 per bottle; draft beer 0.3l — €3.50

Since the 30th anniversary, the menu has also been accessible via QR code, a choice made by the organizers to reduce paper waste and speed up queues at the cash registers.

Music, dance, and conviviality

Every evening, the stalls open around 8:00 PM and remain active until midnight, while local musical groups take turns on stage. Folk music, ballroom dancing, and Latin-American rhythms accompany the evenings, turning the festival area into an open-air dance floor: a simple, familiar, and beloved format that makes the event suitable for families with children.

Where it takes place

Since 2023, the festival has been held in the heart of the village, in the area in front of the «La Città a Spasso» multipurpose center, at Via Traversa 131/bis in Torelli di Mercogliano. In the past, the kitchens were set up in the square in front of the Misericordia headquarters, just a few steps from the Avellino Ovest motorway exit. Admission is free, the area is accessible, and parking spaces are available nearby.

Mercogliano, gateway to the Partenio

Mercogliano is best known as the gateway to the Sanctuary of Montevergine, one of the most visited places of worship in Campania, reachable by funicular from the town center. Surrounding it, the Partenio Regional Park offers chestnut and beech forests, trails, and panoramic views over the Avellino basin. A festival like the Penne alla Boscaiola thus becomes an opportunity to discover the flavors, language, and hospitality of this corner of Irpinia in a single evening.