Potato and Zucchini Flower Festival

A festival dedicated to potatoes and zucchini flowers

The Potato and Zucchini Flower Festival takes place in Acquavella, a hillside hamlet within the municipality of Casal Velino in the province of Salerno, located in the heart of the southern Campania region. Locals refer to it by its dialect name, «Sagra re la Patana e Ciore re Cocozza», a title that says it all: the stars of the show are two humble ingredients from the peasant garden, the potato and the zucchini flower, served in traditional recipes passed down through generations.

Acquavella, the village hosting the event

Acquavella lies just over two kilometers from the center of Casal Velino, perched at about 230 meters above sea level within the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is a small village of stone houses clustered around the parish church of San Michele Arcangelo, with narrow streets that buzz with activity during the summer. The potato festival was born as a collaborative effort between the I Love Acquavella association and the A.S.D. Acquavella sports club, proving how working together can keep a small village alive.

On the menu: potatoes from appetizer to dessert

The theme of the event is clear: the potato, a humble food that was essential for centuries in the Cilento hinterland, is featured in every course, from appetizers to desserts. Alongside it, you will find zucchini flowers and other local peasant dishes prepared with regional ingredients.

• Potatoes featured in every course, from appetizers to desserts
• Zucchini flowers, the other star of the summer garden in Cilento
• Traditional Cilento peasant cuisine
• Local products and handicrafts for sale along the village streets

Folk music and markets in the village streets

The festival is about more than just food. Evenings begin late, around 9:00 PM, once the heat has faded, and are animated by folk music groups and traditional ensembles performing tarantellas and southern Italian classics. A market of local products and handicrafts is set up along the narrow streets, guiding visitors from stall to stall. The atmosphere is that of a quintessential Cilento village feast: outdoor tables, families, and different generations coming together in the main square.

Why a potato festival in Cilento?

In the hills of the Cilento hinterland, the potato was long a subsistence food, grown in family gardens to feed entire families during hard times. Dedicating a festival to it means reclaiming a food identity based on simple ingredients—the same foundation as the Mediterranean diet, which was codified in these very lands. The zucchini flower, picked at dawn and fried in batter, belongs to the same tradition: nothing is wasted, and everything the garden offers becomes a dish.

When it takes place

Traditionally, the event falls during the second week of July, spanning three consecutive evenings. In editions documented by local press, the festival was held around July 7th, 8th, and 9th. However, dates are not fixed and are announced by the organizers each year, usually a few weeks in advance, along with the Casal Velino summer calendar. As of the publication of this guide, no official dates for 2026 have been released; it is recommended to check with local associations or Cilento information channels before planning your trip.

What to see nearby

An evening in Acquavella is easily combined with a day at the beach or an archaeological excursion. A few kilometers away are the shores of Casal Velino Marina and, just to the south, the Velia Archaeological Park (the ancient Elea, home of the Eleatic school) in the territory of Ascea. Inland, you can explore the trails of the National Park, the villages of Pollica and Pioppi—home to the Living Museum of the Mediterranean Diet—and the Cilento coast with its beautiful coves.