Purpietta c'Addauru Festival

The Purpietta c'Addauru Festival in Gratteri

The Purpietta c'Addauru Festival is one of the most cherished gastronomic events of the Gratteri summer. Held in Gratteri, a small town within the Madonie Park in the province of Palermo, Sicily, the event highlights a signature dish of the village: the purpietta c'addauru, or bay leaf meatball.

A Signature Dish

The purpietta c'addauru is a traditional Gratteri main course: meatballs, hand-mixed with ground meat, are wrapped in two bay leaves (known in the local dialect as addauru) which release their unmistakable aroma while grilling. The result is a fragrant, flavorful bite that symbolizes the rustic, peasant cuisine of the Madonie, prepared in collaboration with local butchers.

The Village of Gratteri

Gratteri is a small village perched on the northern slopes of the Madonie Park, southwest of Cefalù, overlooking the Tyrrhenian coast in the distance. It borders the municipalities of Cefalù, Lascari, Collesano, and Isnello. Its historic center, filled with narrow alleys, stairways, and small squares, provides the perfect backdrop for the festival, which centers on the Belvedere Ganci Battaglia.

Atmosphere and Program

The festival is about more than just food: the evening comes alive with stalls offering local products, tastings, local wine, and draft beer, alongside a rich musical program ranging from Sicilian folk to traveling bands, DJ sets, and themed parties. Past editions have featured groups like Trinacria Folk, Italian music performances, and dance shows, keeping the village lively until late at night.

• Signature dish: purpietta c'addauru, charcoal-grilled bay leaf meatballs
• Location: Belvedere Ganci Battaglia, Gratteri (PA)
• Organizers: Municipality of Gratteri and Pro Loco, in partnership with local butchers
• Typical timing: late August

Dates for the 2026 edition have not yet been officially announced; the program is usually published by the organizers in the weeks leading up to the event.