Scrippella all'Olio Festival

The Scrippella all'Olio Festival in Faieto di Cortino

In the heart of the Laga Mountains, at an altitude of about 650 meters, the village of Faieto—a hamlet in the municipality of Cortino, in the province of Teramo (Abruzzo)—dedicates a festival every year, towards the end of August, to one of the most distinctive and humble dishes of its tradition: the scrippella all'olio. A small town of just a few dozen inhabitants that, for a few days, fills with visitors arriving even from the coast to taste a specialty that tells the very history of this mountain community.

A dish of the 'cucina povera'

The scrippella all'olio, called in dialect li scrippel'ont and also known as rivotiche or ribalte, is the humble sibling of the more famous Teramo scrippella. Unlike the latter, prepared with eggs and served in the famous scrippelle 'mbusse or in a timbale, the Faieto version completely foregoes eggs (or uses a minimal amount) and is essentially composed of flour, water, and olive oil. It was the bread of lean times, a way to combine lunch and dinner when resources were scarce, and today it is proudly rediscovered as a gastronomic excellence of the territory.

During the festival, the scrippelle are offered in numerous variations and fillings—from mortadella to peppers, from porcini mushrooms to pecorino and ricotta—highlighting local raw materials such as Solina flour and extra virgin olive oil from the Alto Tordino area.

Cooking shows, music, and tradition

In addition to the food stalls, the event features cooking shows with local chefs and personalities, demonstrations of scrippella preparation, live music, performances, entertainment for children, and convivial evenings that enliven the village square and the sports field. The festival takes place in conjunction with the patronal feast of Saint Andrew, strengthening the bond between popular devotion, community, and cuisine.

Who organizes it

The event is promoted by the Pro Loco Faieto APS, led by president Vanessa Marini, with the patronage of the Municipality of Cortino and the Province of Teramo, and the support of local entities such as the GAL Gran Sasso Laga. It is a volunteer effort that has transformed a small village feast into an anticipated event of the Teramo summer in just a few years.

A village to discover

Reaching Faieto means immersing yourself in the most authentic Abruzzo, among the woods and pastures of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park. The festival is the perfect opportunity to combine a day trip with the discovery of an ancient dish and a still-pristine mountain landscape.