Polenta Rognosa Festival

The Polenta Rognosa Festival in Pettorano sul Gizio

In the heart of the Peligna Valley, at the foot of Monte Genzana and within the nature reserve of the same name, the town of Pettorano sul Gizio (province of L'Aquila, Abruzzo) hosts the Polenta Rognosa Festival every year, one of the most beloved and well-attended winter gastronomic events in the region. Established in 1962 and organized by the Pro Loco of Pettorano sul Gizio, the festival transforms the historic center of the village—recognized as one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in Italy"—into a grand popular banquet that attracts thousands of visitors.

The charcoal burners' polenta

The absolute star is the polenta rognosa, a humble dish linked to the memory of the charcoal burners who, until the 1950s, spent long periods in the woods of Monte Genzana producing charcoal. Polenta was their main sustenance and was eaten at almost every meal. The traditional recipe calls for eight-row cornmeal, stone-ground and cooked slowly with water from the Gizio river in typical copper cauldrons, stirred for a long time with a wooden stick called a "cazzagno".

Once ready, the polenta is turned out onto a cloth, sliced with string instead of a knife, and layered with pork, Monte Genzana pecorino, garlic, and chili pepper: hence the name "rognosa" (meaning "scabby" or "rough"). The main dish is often accompanied by "mugnoli e chezzerieje", small gnocchi with local Peligna vegetables.

A village in celebration

The festival traditionally takes place in Piazza Umberto I, where outdoor cooking stations are set up with large copper pots. Throughout the day, the village comes alive with music, dancing, and stalls featuring local products, while the nearby Cantelmo Castle remains open for visits. Tables, benches, and gazebos welcome visitors even in case of bad weather, which is not uncommon given the festival's winter timing, often held near Epiphany.

The Polenta Rognosa Festival is more than just a food and wine event: it is an identity-defining ritual that keeps the peasant memory of Pettorano sul Gizio and the entire Peligna Valley alive, celebrating a heritage of flavors, traditions, and community passed down for generations in the heart of the Abruzzo mountains.