Polenta and Winter Flavors Festival

A winter festival in the heart of the Val di Sieci

When the cold grips the hills around Florence, the village of Sieci, in the municipality of Pontassieve (Province of Florence, Tuscany), fires up the stoves for the Polenta and Winter Flavors Festival. This is one of those authentic village festivals that make a difference in Tuscany: no big-event glitz, just the warmth of a community gathering around hearty dishes and good company. The heart of the festival is Piazza Sergio Chiari, in the center of Sieci, where the scent of steaming polenta fills the air for an entire weekend.

Polenta in four variations

The undisputed star is, of course, polenta, served here in several variations that reflect the rustic cuisine of the Apennines and the Florentine countryside. The menu includes:

• fried polenta crostini, perfect as a crunchy appetizer;
• polenta with meat sauce, rich and flavorful;
• polenta with leek and sausage, a rustic winter classic;
• polenta with mushrooms, with an earthy, enveloping taste;
• polenta with extra virgin olive oil and truffle, the most refined version.

Accompanying the polenta are the great traditional Tuscan main courses, such as peposo (peppered beef stew) and stewed ribs, while for dessert, there are genuine treats like castagnaccio and schiacciata alla fiorentina.

A charity festival

The Polenta and Winter Flavors Festival is organized by the Val di Sieci Section of the Croce Azzurra of Pontassieve, the volunteer association that operates in the area for emergency rescue and medical transport. The beauty of this festival lies in its purpose: the proceeds are donated to the renewal of the association's vehicle fleet. Sitting down to eat, therefore, also means providing concrete help to those who serve the Val di Sieci community every day.

Winter flavors between Florence and the Valdarno

Sieci is located along the Arno river, in a strategic position between Florence and the upper Valdarno, at the foot of the hills rising toward the Pratomagno. It is an ideal destination for those who want to discover the most authentic side of Tuscany, far from mass tourism circuits. The festival takes place during the same period as other gastronomic events in the area—such as the Boiled Meat Festival in Pelago—making the last weekend of February a delicious time for the entire valley.