Sagra della Crispella e delle Mezzemaniche al Tartufo

A historic sagra in the land of truffles

The Sagra della Crispella e delle Mezzemaniche al Tartufo is one of the most beloved and long-standing gastronomic events of the Marche summer. It takes place in Roccafluvione, a small inland municipality in the province of Ascoli Piceno, in the heart of an area famous for truffle hunting: four prized varieties are found here, from white truffle to black truffle, from summer truffle (scorzone) to the uncinato. The festival's identity revolves around this product, which has drawn visitors from all over the Marche for decades.

Crispelle and mezzemaniche

The dish that gives the sagra its name is the crispella, a simple fritter made from water, flour, and yeast, fried in boiling oil and then filled: the classic version is with ham, but the star of the evening is the one with truffle. The other main star is mezzemaniche with truffle, a simple and generous first course that smells of the undergrowth. Over the years, the menu has been expanded to include truffle and pancetta sandwiches and many other specialties of Piceno cuisine, always prepared by Pro Loco volunteers.

Folklore, crafts, and music

The sagra is not just a celebration of taste. Alongside the food stalls, two traditional events come to life: the Rassegna del Folklore Piceno (Piceno Folklore Review), with performances by local folk groups, and the 'Sacce fà' fair, a market exhibition dedicated to crafts and DIY. Every evening, live music also animates the square and the event spaces until late at night.

When and where

The event traditionally takes place in the third week of August, over three evenings, at the sports facilities (the Palasport) in Roccafluvione, with food stalls opening in the early evening. It's a perfect opportunity to discover an authentic village in the Piceno Apennines, far from the coast, and to taste the most genuine flavors of the inland Marche region.