Pititti, Pititteddi and Liccumarei Festival

A festival that tells the story of Melilli's identity

In the heart of the Iblei mountains, overlooking the Gulf of Augusta, the town of Melilli preserves one of the most authentic culinary traditions in the province of Syracuse. Every year, at the beginning of September, the Pititti, Pititteddi and Liccumarei Festival brings the flavors of the past back to the square, becoming an opportunity for the community to gather around its rustic and maritime cuisine. The event, promoted by the Municipality of Melilli, effectively kicks off the long season of local festivals.

Traditional Melilli dishes

The absolute stars are the pititti, land snails cooked according to ancient family recipes, along with the pititteddi and liccumarei that give the festival its name. Alongside them, the stands managed by local associations offer a rich selection of local cuisine:

• Cudduruni a miliddisa, the typical stuffed focaccia from Melilli;
• Mpanate with potatoes, onions, and sausage;
• Pipajoli ca' 'ngiovi, peppers with anchovies;
• Crastuni che pipi, sea snails with peppers;
• octopus salad and the inevitable sweet zippule.

Music, cabaret, and shows every night

The Pititti Festival is not just about food and wine: every evening, after the stands open, the stage in Piazza San Sebastiano comes alive with live concerts, cabaret performances, and folk shows. Bands, comedians, and Sicilian folk music groups take turns until late at night, turning the square into a large open-air theater. It is this blend of good food and quality entertainment that has ensured the event's success over the years, attracting thousands of visitors from across the Iblei region.

A community gathering

More than just an event, the festival is a moment of strong collective identity for Melilli. Volunteer associations, neighborhood committees, and local families collaborate in preparing the dishes and welcoming visitors, renewing a ritual that binds generations together every year. For those visiting south-eastern Sicily, the Pititti, Pititteddi and Liccumarei Festival is the perfect opportunity to discover the authentic cuisine of the Iblei and the hospitality of a village rich in history and flavor.