Sagra te li piatti te na fiata Festival

A festival of traditional flavors

The Sagra te li piatti te na fiata (which translates from the Salento dialect as "the festival of dishes from the past") is one of the most beloved gastronomic events of the summer in Castri di Lecce, a small town in the heart of the Salento region, Puglia. Organized by the local Pro Loco, the event was created to rediscover and celebrate the peasant "cucina povera" (humble cuisine) of Salento, defined by simple ingredients and recipes passed down through generations.

Via Pascoli: an open-air trattoria

For three consecutive nights in late August, Via Pascoli transforms into a massive open-air restaurant: long communal tables, the aromas of traditional cooking, and a convivial atmosphere that draws visitors from across Salento. The festival's signature dish is the pappaiottule, made with stale bread, eggs, and cheese. It is officially recognized as a De.C.O. (Municipal Denomination) product and serves as a true emblem of local humble cuisine.

Traditional dishes

The menu draws heavily from the Salento farming recipe book. Among the most popular offerings from recent editions:

• Homemade Maccarruni
• Muersi fritti
• Fae nette cu le cicore creste (fava bean purée with wild chicory)
• Pignata te pasuli (beans slow-cooked in traditional terracotta pots)
• Pittule and pappaiottule
• Cecamariti, a classic dish of the humble tradition

Folk music among the tables

The evenings are accompanied by Salento folk music: stornelli, tarantellas, pizzica, and Italian songs bring the festival to life, with musical groups often performing directly among the tables, carrying the rhythm of tradition into the heart of the event. It is an experience that blends great food, folklore, and conviviality, all in the spirit of Salento identity.