Piatto Povero Festival

A festival dedicated to the cuisine of yesteryear

In the village of Torniella, a hamlet of the Municipality of Roccastrada in the province of Grosseto, the Piatto Povero Festival pays homage to the kind of cooking that was once born of necessity and the land. These are the so-called "poor dishes": simple recipes made with humble ingredients from the vegetable garden and the countryside, which today represent a precious gastronomic heritage and a symbol of identity for the Tuscan Maremma.

The event was born in 2024 for the inauguration of the renovated Val di Farma Civic Center, and following the success of the first edition, the Pro Loco Piloni-Torniella decided to make it an annual appointment, dedicated to promoting the territory and its typical products.

The flavors of the Maremma tradition

The absolute stars are the dishes of the peasant tradition, served at the food stands set up for the occasion. Among the specialties that have made this festival famous:

• Acquacotta: the iconic soup of the Maremma, made with vegetables, stale bread, and egg—poor in ingredients but rich in taste;
• Pappa al pomodoro: the quintessential Tuscan dish, prepared with bread, tomatoes, garlic, and extra virgin olive oil;
• other country-style recipes, simple and genuine, linked to the seasons and local produce.

Music, theater, and evenings in the square

The Piatto Povero Festival is not just about good food: every year the program is enriched with live music, theatrical shows, entertainment, and social activities. The evenings take place in the charming squares of the village, such as Piazza del Popolo and Piazza del Castello, which have hosted concerts, DJ sets, and tribute bands. There is no shortage of traditional games for children and cultural initiatives such as the presentation of recipe books related to the village's memory.

A village in the heart of the Val di Farma

Torniella, at about 440 meters above sea level and immersed in the woods of the Val di Farma, is a small village of a few hundred inhabitants that comes alive during the festival, welcoming visitors from all over the province of Grosseto and Tuscany. The event is part of the rich calendar of summer events in the Municipality of Roccastrada and represents a perfect opportunity to discover an authentic corner of the Maremma, far from mass tourism circuits.