Spincia Fest

Spincia Fest, the festival of the typical pastry of Custonaci

The Spincia Fest is the festival that brings the seaside hamlet of Cornino, in the municipality of Custonaci, Trapani province, to life every summer. The event takes place in Piazza Riviera, along the stunning bay of Cornino, at the foot of the Monte Cofano Nature Reserve, in one of the most scenic corners of Western Sicily. The event is dedicated to the spincia, the humble yet unmistakable pastry that represents the gastronomic identity of the Custonaci area.

What is a spincia?

The spincia, also pronounced sfincia in the countryside around Erice, is a very soft, sweet fritter, best enjoyed warm with honey. The term derives from the Arabic root isfang, which refers to a soft fried dough, a testament to the deep Arab influences on Sicilian cuisine. In the Custonaci area and the surrounding countryside, spince were traditionally prepared for Christmas festivities and the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, following family recipes passed down from generation to generation, such as the famous one from Grandma Caterina.

A festival that tells the story of the land

The Spincia Fest is more than just a tasting event: it is a popular celebration that promotes local products and regional food and wine. Along the streets and in the square, there are numerous stalls, generally open in the evening, offering tastings of spincia and other local specialties. Since 2007, the event has also opened up to international cuisines, hosting gastronomic offerings from countries like Tunisia, Peru, and Romania, in a climate of exchange and conviviality typical of Sicilian summer festivals.

Shows, music, and summer atmosphere

The program alternates between live music, performances, folklore moments, and village party evenings, transforming the bay of Cornino into a great meeting place. The seaside setting, the summer evenings, and free admission make the Spincia Fest an event suitable for families, tourists, and those curious about Trapanese gastronomic culture.

Custonaci, the city of marble

Custonaci is known as the city of marble, the second-largest marble basin in Italy for the extraction of the famous Perlato di Sicilia. The village, nestled between the sea and the mountains in the Sicily Region, offers visitors to the Spincia Fest the opportunity to discover a territory rich in nature, traditions, and flavors, from the Monte Cofano Reserve to the beaches of the bay of Cornino.