Sagra du Cudduruni a Miliddisa Festival

A festival dedicated to the cudduruni

The Sagra du Cudduruni a Miliddisa is one of the most awaited gastronomic events in Melilli, a small town in the province of Syracuse overlooking the so-called Iblei Terrace. For three days in September, the town puts its signature product, the cudduruni, center stage, showcasing it through wood-fired ovens, food and wine stalls, and evening entertainment in Piazza Umberto I.

What is the cudduruni a miliddisa?

The cudduruni is a type of focaccia or rustic pizza typical of the Melilli area: a dough with a crispy crust that encloses a soft, fragrant heart. The 'a miliddisa' version is distinguished by the characteristic grooves in the dough, known as 'vele' (sails), filled with traditional Sicilian country ingredients: anchovies, sun-dried tomatoes, pecorino cheese, onions, capers, and parsley, all seasoned with olive oil. It is traditionally baked in a wood-fired oven, which gives it its unmistakable fragrance.

Taste, music, and community

In addition to freshly baked cudduruni, the streets of the town center feature other local specialties, from Sicilian street food to typical products, alongside a craft market. The evenings are enlivened by musical performances, cabaret, and comedy, with artists from the Sicilian scene taking turns on the stage in Piazza Umberto I. The festival is part of a busy calendar of community celebrations that animate Melilli and its districts of Villasmundo and Città Giardino between late summer and early autumn.

A tradition of the Syracuse territory

Promoted by the Municipality of Melilli as part of the effort to promote local food and wine excellence, the festival is an opportunity to discover the culinary identity of south-eastern Sicily and the hospitality of an Iblei village. For visitors, it is also the best way to savor a humble dish rich in history, shared in the square in the most authentic island spirit of conviviality.