Pizz Fritt & Mortadella Festival

The fried pizza festival in Cervaro

In the heart of the Ciociaria summer, the Pizz Fritt & Mortadella Festival brings the Foresta district of Cervaro, in the province of Frosinone, to life. Organized by the Associazione Foresta di Cervaro with the patronage of the Municipality, the event transforms Piazza Ai Caduti into a vibrant community gathering spot, where the aroma of freshly fried pizza mingles with the music and songs of the festival.

A rustic recipe that tastes like home

The signature dish of the festival is pizz' fritt', fried pizza that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, served with mortadella. This is no recent invention: its origins date back to the early 20th century, when bread in Cervaro was made at home using grain flour from the fields and sourdough starter, known as criscito, passed down from family to family. Before baking the bread, housewives would take a little dough and fry it: thus, a simple delicacy was born, a precious treat in an era of few comforts.

A piece of memory and identity

The history of Cervaro's fried pizza is intertwined with that of the local area. During the Second World War, in 1944, families taking refuge in the caves of Monte Trocchio, along the Gustav Line, used coffee grinders to mill the little grain that had escaped looting to prepare pizz' fritt' and feed the needy. Recreating this recipe today means preserving a living fragment of Cervaro's identity and the rural culture of Ciociaria.

Atmosphere and program

The festival is above all a community celebration. Alongside the food stalls, where fried pizza is prepared in front of you, the evenings come alive with dancing, singing, and live music, in a family-friendly atmosphere that attracts residents and visitors from neighboring towns. It is the ideal opportunity to savor an authentic dish outdoors, among the streets of the Foresta district, and to experience the conviviality typical of summer festivals in lower Lazio.

What to expect

• Fried pizza prepared according to the traditional recipe, served with mortadella;
• Food stalls featuring other local specialties;
• Evenings of music, dancing, and folk songs;
• A village festival atmosphere suitable for families and all ages.

Now in its many editions, the Pizz Fritt & Mortadella Festival confirms the deep bond between Cervaro and its culinary tradition, offering those visiting the province of Frosinone a genuine taste of Ciociaria cuisine and hospitality.