Polentata Paesana (Polenta Festival)

A mountain festival in the heart of winter

The Polentata Paesana, also known as the Polenta Festival, is one of the most cherished winter events in Rocca di Cambio, in the province of L'Aquila, Abruzzo. It takes place in the first days of January, when the village is still wrapped in the holiday atmosphere and snow blankets the Altopiano delle Rocche. Organized by the Pro Loco of Rocca di Cambio, it brings together residents, vacationers, and tourists every year to share a humble yet generous dish: polenta.

What to eat

Polenta is the ultimate winter comfort food, and in Rocca di Cambio, it is prepared in the traditional way, served piping hot with delicious toppings. The evening menu includes:

• Polenta with sausages, the heart of the festival;
• Gnocchetti and beans, another classic of mountain cuisine;
• Pizza sfogliata, the village's signature pastry, once prepared as a portable meal for workers in the fields.

Everything is served in the former municipal kindergarten, where the warmth of the large shared tables makes the evening a moment of authentic local conviviality.

Rocca di Cambio, the highest village in the Apennines

At an altitude of 1,434 meters, Rocca di Cambio is the highest village in the Apennines. It is located in the northern part of the Altopiano delle Rocche, within the Sirente-Velino Regional Natural Park, and is a well-known winter sports destination thanks to the nearby Campo Felice ski area. The harsh mountain climate has shaped the village's gastronomic traditions over the centuries, with polenta and pizza sfogliata being its most genuine expressions.

A tradition renewed every year

The Polentata Paesana is a recurring event, held for years at the beginning of January as part of the Christmas holiday program of the Municipality of Rocca di Cambio. The festival is accompanied by other community celebrations, such as the arrival of the Befana for children and the traditional bingo night. More than just a tasting event, it is a way to come together and close the holiday season on a high note, rediscovering the true flavors of the Abruzzo mountains.