Sarnar Morgreti Essn (Saint Margaret Gastronomic Week)

The Val Sarentino Taste Week

The Sarnar Morgreti Essn is the historic gastronomic week of Val Sarentino (Sarntal), the mountain valley north of Bolzano in the heart of South Tyrol. Every year in early July, the valley's restaurants and mountain farms celebrate what locals affectionately call the "Zeit der Gaumenfreuden"—the time of culinary delights—with ten days entirely dedicated to traditional Sarentino cuisine.

The meaning of the name

The dialect term "Morgreti" comes from Saint Margaret's Day, an important date in the South Tyrolean farming calendar that falls in early July. Saint Margaret is the patron saint of farmers, and her feast day traditionally marked a time of gathering and conviviality after the hard work in the fields. This ancient root gives the event its name, deeply tied to the rural identity of the municipality of Sarentino, in the province of Bolzano.

Specialties on the table

The absolute stars are the valley's peasant specialties, often little-known outside its borders. Participating restaurant menus feature dishes with unique dialect names:

• Oufnar and Striezl, typical local traditional preparations
• Türkenmus, mountain-style cornmeal polenta
• Broutar, another historic Sarentino specialty
• Dishes based on beef, game, lamb, mountain cheese, herbs, and berries

Alongside these classic dishes, chefs offer creative reinterpretations that blend South Tyrolean and Mediterranean cuisine, with menus designed specifically for the occasion.

The prize draw

One of the most popular aspects of the event is the prize draw: anyone who has lunch or dinner at one of the venues participating in the "Sarnar Morgreti Essn" is automatically entered into a lottery with great prizes to be won. It is a fun incentive that encourages guests to discover different restaurants throughout the valley during the gastronomic week.

A territory to discover

Val Sarentino is one of the most authentic and secluded valleys in South Tyrol, a guardian of traditions, craftsmanship (famous for the "Sarner" wool vests), and pristine alpine landscapes. The "Sarnar Morgreti Essn" is the perfect opportunity to combine a mountain trip with the discovery of genuine cuisine, organized by the Val Sarentino Tourist Association with the participation of restaurants in the valley floor and the villages of Reinswald/San Martino.