Tortellata di San Giovanni

A tradition that smells of summer

On the evening of June 23rd, the eve of the San Giovanni festival, the medieval village of Montechiarugolo, in the province of Parma, transforms into a large open-air banquet. The Tortellata di San Giovanni is one of the most cherished events on the local calendar: a popular dinner held in the streets of the historic center, in the shadow of the famous castle that dominates the town. It is a festival that brings together different generations, residents and visitors, around a simple and iconic dish.

Herb tortelli, the true star of the evening

The heart of the festival is the herb tortelli, a symbol of Parmesan cuisine and particularly of these lands. The filling follows the recipe handed down by the women of the town: herbs, ricotta, Parmigiano Reggiano, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt, enclosed in a pasta dough made only with flour and eggs. They are served as tradition dictates, simply dressed with butter and grated Parmigiano Reggiano, because here the quality of the ingredients is enough to speak for itself. It is no coincidence that the event is linked to the "Queen of Tortelli" award, which rewards those who preserve and pass down this recipe.

Music, dancing, and conviviality under the castle

The Tortellata is not just about gastronomy: as every year, the evening comes alive with music and dancing, in a familiar and spontaneous atmosphere that is the true soul of Emilia's village festivals. You eat seated at tables set up in the village, with the imposing castle as a scenic backdrop and the late June sky illuminating the celebration. The event is organized by the Don Lazzero Anspi Section, the town's parish youth club, and the proceeds are used to support the association's activities in the area.

In the heart of one of Italy's Most Beautiful Villages

Attending the Tortellata is also an opportunity to discover Montechiarugolo, listed among Italy's Most Beautiful Villages, with its 14th-century castle overlooking the Enza stream. An evening that blends the pleasure of food with the beauty of a historic place, in one of Emilia-Romagna's regions richest in food and wine traditions.