Sagra te lu Pummitoru Schiattarisciatu Festival

A festival dedicated to Salento's fried tomatoes

The Sagra te lu Pummitoru Schiattarisciatu is one of the most distinctive culinary events of the summer in Aradeo, a town in the province of Lecce nestled in the countryside of Salento, Puglia. The event celebrates a simple, ancient dish: pummitoru schiattarisciatu, which is tomatoes fried in a pan with plenty of extra virgin olive oil. The name comes from the Salento dialect and refers to the schiattarisciamentu—the characteristic popping sound that small, ripe, or irregular tomatoes make when they hit the boiling oil.

A dish from peasant tradition

Once a humble daily meal on our grandparents' tables, the pomodoro schiattarisciato is now a symbol of a 'cucina di recupero' (peasant recovery cooking) that highlights the bounty of the Salento land. During the festival, you can enjoy friselle topped with tomatoes and oil, fresh handmade pasta with sauce, as well as meatballs, grilled meats, salads, fruit, and artisanal desserts and gelato. There is no shortage of wine and Salento beer to accompany these evenings of conviviality.

Music, folklore, and tradition

In addition to the food stalls, the event offers a rich program of live performances: pizzica concerts and folk music, local folklore groups, street performers, and dance parties that keep the Villa Comunale buzzing until late. Past editions have also featured workshops for children dedicated to making fresh handmade pasta, a wonderful way to pass down traditional skills through the generations.

A sustainable and community-driven event

The festival is organized by the Nuova Pro Loco of Aradeo along with a dedicated committee and numerous volunteers. In recent years, the event has partnered with Ecofesta Puglia to implement waste sorting and reduction initiatives, demonstrating a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.

How to experience the festival

Admission is free and the festival takes place outdoors in the lush greenery of the Villa Comunale of Aradeo, generally starting at 7:00 PM. It is the perfect opportunity to discover an authentic corner of inland Salento, away from the more crowded seaside resorts, and to savor traditional Puglian cuisine in a festive, popular atmosphere.