Porcelli e Porcini – The Festival of Good Eating

A festival dedicated to the flavors of the Nebrodi

Porcelli e Porcini – The Festival of Good Eating is the autumn festival of Caronia, a village overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea and perched on the slopes of the Nebrodi Mountains in the province of Messina, Sicily. The event celebrates the two products that best define the gastronomic identity of this corner of Sicily: the Nebrodi black pig, an ancient native breed raised in the wild, and porcini mushrooms foraged in the woods of the Nebrodi Park.

The stars of the table

For three days, the historic center of Caronia transforms into a vast food and wine trail. Throughout the streets and squares, stalls offer traditional Nebrodi specialties: risotto and pasta with porcini mushrooms, sausages, ribs and cuts of black pork, local cheeses and ricotta, homemade bread, and traditional desserts, all paired with local wines. The black pig, recognizable by its coarse hair and ridge along its back, provides meat rich in unsaturated fatty acids, prized for its authenticity and its connection to the undergrowth the animal feeds on.

Music, folklore, and culture

Beyond gastronomy, the festival offers a rich entertainment program: musical performances in the square, folk groups, local bands and majorettes, cabaret, and DJ sets animate the evenings until late at night. In recent editions, the stage has also hosted nationally renowned artists. There are also conferences dedicated to Nebrodi food and wine tourism, excursions, and free guided tours of the Norman Castle, which dates back to the era of Roger II and is considered one of the most important examples of Norman architecture in all of Sicily.

A local event

The event is organized by the Municipality of Caronia with the support of the Sicilian Region and the Nebrodi Park. More than just a festival, "Porcelli e Porcini" is an opportunity to showcase local agri-food excellence, support local producers, and promote tourism in the village and the Messina hinterland. Over the years, the event has grown to record thousands of attendees, becoming one of the most anticipated autumn gastronomic appointments in the Nebrodi area.