Sagra Sciuscielle e Ciabbotta

The Indiprete festival on July 2nd

The Sagra Sciuscielle e Ciabbotta takes place every July 2nd in the hamlet of Indiprete in Castelpetroso, a small town in the province of Isernia at the foot of the Matese mountains. The festival coincides with the hamlet's patron saint's day and enlivens the square in front of the mother church with food stalls, music, and community gatherings.

Ciabbotta, the star dish of the Molise table

The absolute protagonist is the ciabbotta (or ciambotta), described as the hearty main dish of the hilly and mountainous tables of yesteryear. The village women prepare it for the occasion with onions, 'salsiccia sottosugna' (sausage cooked in its own fat), carrots, celery, peppers, courgettes, and cheese meatballs, all cooked and seasoned in abundant tomato sauce. Alongside, the sciuscielle, a typical local pasta, complete a menu that tells the story of the simple yet generous cuisine of the hinterland.

Tradition and identity

The festival is one of several gastronomic events that liven up the hamlets of Castelpetroso during the summer months, from Pastena to Camere. In Indiprete, July 2nd is an occasion to gather around the table and pass down family recipes, in a village in Alto Molise best known for the nearby Sanctuary of the Addolorata.