Sagra de Lu Bucculotte cu lu Crastate

A Sagra That Reigns Supreme in Grottammare's Summer

In the heart of summer, the Sagra de Lu Bucculotte cu lu Crastate transforms the square of the Chiesa Madonna della Speranza, along the SP Valtesino, into one of the most popular spots in Grottammare, a seaside town in the province of Ascoli Piceno, in the Marche region. For almost twenty years, locals have considered this festival the "queen of sagre" in the area: an event that draws many people from the Piceno area and the Adriatic coast, attracted by a dish not easily found elsewhere.

The Dish: Lu Bucculotte cu lu Crastate

The absolute star is lu bucculotte cu lu crastate, the specialty of the San Martino district. Bucculotte are a large, hollowed pasta shape, specially made by a local pasta maker, while crastate is the sauce made from mutton (castrated ram) slow-cooked to create a rich and flavorful sauce. The recipe arrived here about sixty years ago from a woman from Atri, in Abruzzo, and has since become a community heritage.

Preparing the sauce requires extraordinary patience: it starts with a soffritto of onion or shallot with oil and chili pepper, then the mutton stew is browned, seasoned with salt and marjoram—which tempers the gamey scent of the meat—and left to cook for eleven to twelve hours with tomato. Alongside the main dish, stands also offer stew, arrosticini (lamb skewers), and other flavors of the Piceno and Abruzzo tradition.

A District and Parish Festival

The sagra is organized by the Parrocchia Madonna della Speranza (Parish of Our Lady of Hope) and its committee of volunteers. More than just a gastronomic event, it's a moment of community gathering for the district: the proceeds support the activities of parish associations and community expenses. Amidst the steaming food stalls, you can feel an authentic atmosphere, made of shared tables, conversations, and home-style cooking prepared by those who have known the recipe for generations.

Music and Entertainment

The evenings are accompanied by live music, group dancing, karaoke, and entertainment for children, in a familiar and popular atmosphere. The formula is that of the great village summer festivals: people arrive at dusk, dine outdoors with the typical dish, and stay late enjoying music and socializing. In case of bad weather, the covered spaces of the parish allow the festival to continue without interruption.