Spincia Days

Spincia Days, the delicious heart of Custonaci

Spincia Days is the event that transforms Custonaci, a small town in the Province of Trapani at the foot of Mount Cofano, into the capital of the spincia every December. The festival coincides with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th, one of the village's most cherished traditions, serving as its gastronomic and cultural highlight.

What is spincia?

Spincia is a traditional Sicilian Christmas fried pastry made from a simple, long-leavened dough of flour and potatoes, fried and then dusted with sugar or honey. It is a rustic, peasant recipe rooted in the village homes and courtyards that was at risk of being forgotten; Spincia Days was created specifically to recover and celebrate it. During the festival, you can sample it in all its variations, from the classic version to creative, vegetarian, and vegan interpretations offered by local pastry chefs and families.

An event between faith and tradition

Spincia Days remains closely intertwined with the religious celebrations of the Immaculate Conception: the solemn mass, during which children offer a flower to the Virgin as a symbol of purity, and the procession that accompanies the statue of the Immaculate Conception between the Church of San Giuseppe and the Sanctuary of Maria Santissima di Custonaci. These devotional moments form the backdrop for the days of flavor.

Program and atmosphere

For several days, the historic center fills with stalls, aromas, and music. Typical highlights of the festival include:

• Tastings of spincia in classic sweet variations and gourmet reinterpretations;
• Cooking workshops and demonstrations with local masters and home cooks;
• Traditional Sicilian music and street performances through the village alleys;
• Crafts and local products from the Erice area, accompanied by local wines and sweets.

Custonaci and its surroundings

Spincia Days is part of the Natale al Borgo (Christmas in the Village) calendar, Custonaci's festive program that includes a living nativity scene, Christmas markets, and cultural initiatives. The town, nestled in the agricultural area of the Erice region in Sicily, is famous for the Mangiapane Caves, the marble of Custonaci, and the beaches of the Monte Cofano Nature Reserve: a setting that makes a visit the perfect opportunity to discover an authentic corner of the province of Trapani.