San Pietro Fava Bean Festival

A rustic tradition in the heart of the Madonie

The San Pietro Fava Bean Festival is one of the most deeply rooted events in Isnello, a small village in the Province of Palermo nestled within the Madonie Park in Sicily. The event takes place annually to coincide with the feast of the patron saint, Saint Peter, on June 29th. It is rooted in an ancient farming custom: on the day of the feast, after weighing the fava beans, residents of the various neighborhoods would cook the legumes in large copper pots called quadare as a sign of gratitude for a successful harvest.

The 'quadare' and the festival dish

This custom is still renewed today: large tables are set up in the town's districts, and fires are lit beneath the quadare. The star dish is simple and honest, a true expression of the humble Madonie cuisine:

• Boiled fava beans with onions and potatoes, slow-cooked in large copper pots;
• dressed with a mixture of oil, vinegar, and salt;
• accompanied by a glass of fine local red wine.

The food is distributed free of charge to visitors in a convivial atmosphere that involves the entire community.

Districts in celebration

The festival spreads throughout the historic center of Isnello: various local associations each manage a station, decorated with traditional ornaments that evoke pastoral and rural life, such as broom and ivy. Historically involved locations include Piazza dei Caduti, Via Santa Giovanna d'Arco, Piazza Mazzini, the Sutta u' Roggiu district, and Corso Vittorio Emanuele II.

A community celebration

Organized by the Pro Loco of Isnello in collaboration with the Youth Council and other local associations, the event has been held for over forty years and is a defining appointment for the village. Beyond the tasting, the evening often continues late into the night with the traditional pasta with tomato sauce and moments of music and social gathering. For those visiting the Madonie at the end of June, the San Pietro Fava Bean Festival is an authentic opportunity to discover the flavors and folk culture of Isnello.