Sagra d'la Panissa Festival

The panissa festival in the heart of the Vercelli plains

Every year, at the beginning of summer, the town of Caresanablot, a small village in the Province of Vercelli, Piedmont, transforms into the capital of panissa. The Sagra d'la Panissa is one of the most deep-rooted events in the region: established in the early eighties and organized with passion by the Associazione Folkloristica Caresanablottese, it attracts thousands of food lovers from across the rice-growing plains, from the Vercelli area to the Novara and Biella regions, in just a few days.

What is panissa

Panissa is the iconic dish of the Vercelli peasant tradition, a direct descendant of the rice paddies that surround the village. It is prepared with locally grown rice, the famous Saluggia beans, a sauté of onion and lard, salame della duja (preserved in fat within traditional terracotta jars), and red wine, all slow-cooked to create a thick, flavorful risotto. It is a dish that is humble in its origins but incredibly rich in taste, telling the agricultural history of this part of Piedmont better than any book.

More than just panissa: the food pavilion

While it is the undisputed queen of the festival, panissa is not alone. The covered food pavilion offers a different specialty each evening, encouraging visitors to return throughout the three days:

• Piedmontese mixed fry
• Fried fish
• Grilled meats

The menu is rounded out by salami, eggplant parmigiana, agnolotti, grilled vegetables, fries, and desserts, along with an outdoor Caribbean bar and the parish charity stall that has always been a part of the event.

Music and ballroom dancing

The Sagra d'la Panissa is also, and above all, a great village festival. After dinner, the dance floor comes alive: every night, a different orchestra takes the stage to play traditional ballroom music, a tradition that Caresanablot proudly maintains, making this festival a meeting point for entire generations. The Sunday finale is often marked by the local conscripts' celebration.

An unmissable event

Between the aroma of the risotto, the live music, and the authentic atmosphere of a small town in the plains, the Sagra d'la Panissa is the ideal opportunity to discover the true cuisine of the Vercelli area in a genuine, popular setting. An event that combines gastronomy, folklore, and conviviality in the most Piedmontese way possible.