Sagra te li Sapori Saracini Festival

The Sagra te li Sapori Saracini in Collepasso

In the heart of Salento, in Collepasso (Lecce province), the Sagra te li Sapori Saracini has become one of the most anticipated food festivals of the summer. Every July, this small Apulian town transforms into a massive open-air banquet, where ancient peasant recipes meet the memory of the Saracen influences that have crossed this land over the centuries.

The flavors of traditional Salento cuisine

The heart of the festival is traditional gastronomy. At the various stalls, you can taste famous pittule, meatballs, potato pitta, and many other specialties prepared according to time-honored recipes. These are simple, hearty dishes born from the humble kitchens of Salento, now symbols of local identity and community.

To ensure everyone can enjoy the event, the festival includes a dedicated gluten-free stand, where volunteers offer special dishes in collaboration with AIC Puglia.

The signature dish: puccia with horse meat stew

The true queen of the festival is the puccia with horse meat stew. The meat is slow-cooked in a tomato sauce enriched with onions, celery, carrots, chili, and spices, then served piping hot inside a fragrant puccia leccese bread. It is an iconic dish that draws visitors from all over Salento every year.

Folk music and evenings in the square

Fine dining is always accompanied by traditional Salento folk music. The evenings come alive with concerts featuring pizzica and folk bands, keeping crowds of all ages dancing until late in the beautiful setting of the Palazzo Baronale in Collepasso.

A community celebration

The Sagra te li Sapori Saracini is organized by the Comitato 2.0 Festa Patronale of Collepasso, with the involvement of local associations and volunteers. Established in 2018, the event has grown year after year, becoming a key reference point for promoting the region's food and wine traditions.

Collepasso and Salento

Located in lower Salento, in the province of Lecce, Collepasso is a small town in Apulia surrounded by countryside and olive groves. A festival like this is the perfect opportunity to discover Salento's hospitality, its authentic flavors, and the warmth of local town celebrations.