Ricotta and Cannolo Festival and Sheep Shearing Feast

A festival that tells the story of rural Sicily

In the hilltop village of Mussomeli, in the province of Caltanissetta, the Ricotta and Cannolo Festival and Sheep Shearing Feast is one of the most cherished events in the spring calendar of inland Sicily. The event weaves together popular devotion to San Pasquale Baylón, the protector of shepherds and flocks, with the promotion of local dairy and pastry products: fresh ricotta, tuma cheese, and the quintessential Sicilian cannolo.

Pastoral tradition and the shearing ritual

The common thread of the festival is its bond with shepherding, an identity-defining activity for these lands in the Caltanissetta hinterland. The Sheep Shearing Feast recreates the ancient act of shearing sheep in the town square, a moment of work and community that symbolically opens the season. Alongside the ritual, there are conferences dedicated to pastoralism and the rural economy, engaging with themes of short supply chains and sustainability supported by Slow Food Sicilia.

Flavors and tastings

The delicious heart of the festival is dedicated to the authentic flavors of the territory:

• Warm ricotta, freshly made and served according to peasant tradition
• Sicilian cannoli prepared and distributed by the Pro Loco
• Pasta with fava beans and ricotta, a signature dish of local peasant cuisine
• Tastings of artisanal cheeses and typical products
• Show cooking with local chefs and educational workshops

Faith, folklore, and community

The religious dimension accompanies the entire event: the blessing of the lambs and shepherds, the blessing of the cheeses, and the solemn procession of the statue of San Pasquale mark the days. There is no shortage of folk groups, bagpipers, folk dances, parades of festively decorated mules, and evening musical entertainment, which bring Piazza della Repubblica, the Chiostro dei Monti, and the streets of the center to life.

In Mussomeli, in the heart of Sicily

Dominated by the famous Castello Manfredinico, the town of Mussomeli welcomes visitors and curious travelers every year who wish to rediscover the rural soul of Sicily and the province of Caltanissetta. The festival, recognized for the quality of its cultural and gastronomic program, is now a benchmark for experiential tourism in the Sicilian hinterland.