Sagra del Cotechino

Cotechino, soul of the lower Cremona region

In the plain descending towards the Po River, where winter arrives early and fog envelops the fields, cotechino is much more than a cured sausage: it's a piece of peasant identity. In Casalbuttano ed Uniti, a small municipality in the Province of Cremona, this tradition becomes a village festival every autumn, capable of attracting visitors from all over the area. The Sagra del Cotechino celebrates the boiled sausage served hot, accompanied by mashed potatoes, lentils, polenta, and the robust flavours of Cremonese cuisine.

Under the Palacotechino tent

The heart of the event is the Palacotechino, the large heated tent set up in Piazza Libertà, in the town centre. Here, long tables are laid out, the kitchen works at full speed, and the atmosphere is that of the convivial plain sagre: people eat elbow to elbow, chat, and warm up with a glass of red wine as evening falls outside.

A festival with a heart

What makes this festival special is not just the menu. The Sagra del Cotechino was born and continues with a specific charitable purpose: the proceeds are destined to support the orphanage in Beira, Mozambique. Every dish served thus becomes an act of solidarity, and the community of Casalbuttano participates with the generosity that has always characterised its popular festivals.

Who organises it

Behind the sagra is the voluntary work of the Pro Loco Casalbuttano ed Uniti Association, supported by the group Sulle Strade del Mondo and with the patronage of the Municipality. It is thanks to dozens of volunteers that, year after year, the tent fills up and the tradition continues.

A tradition that endures

With the 25th edition expected in 2026, the Sagra del Cotechino is now a classic of the Cremona autumn. An event that combines taste, conviviality, and social commitment, and that tells visitors what the cuisine of the Province of Cremona truly means.