Sagra dei Barbajuai

The Barbajuai, a Gastronomic Treasure of the Ponente

The Sagra dei Barbajuai is the festival dedicated to one of the most characteristic specialties of Camporosso and the Nervia Valley, in the province of Imperia. The barbajuai (or barbagiuai) are fried ravioli filled with pumpkin, rice, beans, and brusso, a typical fermented cheese from western Liguria with an intense flavour. A dish with ancient origins, a symbol of the simple yet creative cuisine of the Riviera dei Fiori.

A Festival Linked to Religious Tradition

The festival takes place on the third Sunday of September, coinciding with the feast of the Madonna Addolorata (Our Lady of Sorrows), combining the gastronomic dimension with religious and popular celebration. The serving of freshly prepared fried barbajuai is the most anticipated moment of the day, accompanied by music and a convivial atmosphere at the Palatenda Bigauda.

A Dish Best Enjoyed Freshly Fried

The barbajuai are at their best when they are hot and crispy, straight from the boiling oil. Their preparation requires time and skill, and the sagra is the ideal opportunity to taste them in their most authentic version, according to the recipe passed down through local families.

Camporosso and the Nervia Valley

Nestled between the sea and the hinterland of the Nervia Valley, Camporosso preserves gastronomic and religious traditions of great value. The Sagra dei Barbajuai is a perfect example, managing to combine the taste of a unique dish with devotion and village celebration, on one of the most cherished Sundays of autumn on the Riviera dei Fiori.