Sparsi nella Polenta – 17th Century Lunch

A village lunch in the heart of Monferrato

Sparsi nella Polenta – 17th Century Lunch is the gastronomic gathering that opens the annual calendar of the Mutual Aid Society (S.O.M.S.) of Castelletto Merli, a small town in the Province of Alessandria, set in the hills of the Piedmontese Monferrato. The event takes place in the Godio hamlet, the historic headquarters of the S.O.M.S., and offers a simple, genuine lunch built around the queen of northern peasant cuisine: polenta, served with various accompaniments designed to satisfy all tastes.

The meaning of the name

The title plays on the motto "Sparsi nel bello" ("Scattered in beauty"), the slogan adopted by the community to describe the unique geography of Castelletto Merli: a town without a single concentrated center, made up of a dozen hamlets immersed in nature — Godio, Guazzolo, Perno, Sogliano, and the other districts that dot the hills. "Sparsi nella Polenta" is therefore an invitation to gather around a signature dish at the table, after having been "scattered" across the territory for so long.

The Mutual Aid Society, the soul of the town

The event is organized by the S.O.M.S. of Castelletto Merli, one of the many Workers' Mutual Aid Societies that flourished throughout the Alessandria area during the 19th and 20th centuries for the purposes of mutual assistance, education, and recreation. In December 2025, the SOMS celebrated its 75th anniversary and experienced a true rebirth thanks to a spontaneous group of residents who relaunched the Godio headquarters as a meeting place for the entire community.

A tradition reborn

The "17th Century Lunch" represents the first stage of a busy annual calendar that the SOMS dedicates to the town and its inhabitants, featuring markets, workshops, games, and social gatherings. More than just a large festival, it is an intimate and authentic appointment where the typical products of Monferrato and rural conviviality are the true protagonists. It is the perfect opportunity to discover a Castelletto Merli off the beaten tourist track, made of hills, vineyards, and hamlets, and to experience firsthand the solidarity of a still-thriving Mutual Aid Society.

Where and when

The event is held at the S.O.M.S. headquarters in Godio hamlet, in Castelletto Merli, in the heart of the Casale Monferrato area, just a few kilometers from Moncalvo and Cerrina Monferrato. Reservations are essential and can be made via email.