Stridolo Festival – All the Delights of Spring

A festival dedicated to a wild herb

The Stridolo Festival – All the Delights of Spring is one of the most characteristic spring gastronomic events in the Forlì Apennines. It takes place in Galeata, a village in the upper Bidente valley in the province of Forlì-Cesena, in Emilia-Romagna, and celebrates an unusual star: stridolo (also called strigolo or stridoli), a tasty spring wild herb gathered from the edges of cultivated fields. The curious name comes from the sound its leaves make when placed against the lips.

Stridolo in the kitchen

The top sprigs of stridolo are harvested before flowering and used in cooking both raw and cooked. In Galeata, the herb seasons a classic Romagna sauce for tagliatelle, as well as tortelli, maccheroni, risottos, omelettes, and meat dishes. During the day, the food stall set up by the Pro Loco and the numerous restaurants and bars in the village offer themed menus and aperitifs, allowing visitors to discover the many facets of this wild ingredient.

Art, nature, and tradition

The festival is not just about food. Along the streets of the historic centre, there are stalls selling creative crafts and local products from the valley, while the village comes alive with art exhibitions and activities for families. Over the years, the festival has included nature walks along the Bidente river, open-air concerts, and exhibitions by Romagna artists, blending seasonal flavours with the rediscovery of the landscape and traditions of the most authentic Romagna.

The village of Galeata

Galeata boasts a remarkable historical heritage, from the Roman archaeological area of Mevaniola to the Abbey of Sant'Ellero, and is part of the upper Bidente valley municipality overlooking the Casentinesi Forests. The Stridolo Festival is organised by the Pro Loco Mevaniola Galeata in collaboration with GAL L'Altra Romagna, UNPLI, and local traders, under the patronage of the Municipal Administration: a perfect opportunity to combine good food with a trip to the Forlì hinterland.