Vastedda Festival

The Vastedda Festival in Capaci

The Vastedda Festival is one of the most cherished gastronomic events in the town of Capaci, in the province of Palermo, in the heart of Sicily. It takes place every year on November 1st, coinciding with All Saints' Day, along the streets of the town center and specifically in Piazza Calogero Troia. The event is organized by the Cuore & Coraggio association with the patronage of the municipal administration and the collaboration of the Pro Loco, and for nearly thirty years, it has attracted visitors from all over the Metropolitan City of Palermo.

The vastedda, queen of the festival

The absolute star is the vastedda, a soft focaccia seasoned according to the traditional recipe with fresh extra virgin olive oil, well-aged Palermo caciocavallo cheese, oil-packed anchovies, salt, and pepper. It is a simple, genuine dish with peasant roots: in the past, laborers would buy the pre-seasoned vastedda early in the morning before heading to work in the fields. The custom was particularly widespread on All Souls' Day, when, after visiting the cemetery, families would treat themselves to this savory bread accompanied by a good glass of red wine.

A day of tradition and folklore

The festival combines taste and popular culture. Alongside the vastedda tastings, the squares host craft markets, local producer stalls, and moments dedicated to the Sicilian dairy tradition. The program is enriched with folkloric performances, live music, traditional dances, and convivial toasts that enliven the town from morning until night.

An identity-defining event for Capaci

More than just a food festival, the event represents a moment of collective identity for the community of Capaci and the entire Palermo area. The Vastedda Festival celebrates a specialty that tells the story of the rural Sicilian territory and has, over time, become a recognizable symbol of the island's peasant cuisine. For those visiting Sicily in autumn, it is an authentic opportunity to discover the true flavors of the province of Palermo away from the most crowded tourist circuits.