Best food festivals around Italy: where to go

Italy is the home of pasta. The birthplace of pizza. The refuge of cannoli and the haven of tiramisu. And that’s just covering a few regions! As the world gets increasingly food focused, Italy’s reputation has just taken over, giving us not just the image of Italy as a foodie’s paradise, but direct-from-the-source-type places where we can get all the produce we’d ever need. Think Eataly! To honour the beautiful country that is Italy and to get excited for the full calendar year of food events and things to do around the country, we’re taking a look at the best and biggest food festivals around the country to add to your diary. And why. JANUARY, gennaio Sagra della Sfincia di Priescia, Montelepre, SICILY All about the traditional Sicilian sweet treat, sfincia di priescia, this annual festival takes place on 6th January in the Piazza Principe di Piemonte. FEBRUARY, febbraio Battle of Oranges, Ivrea, PIEDMONT Get your cameras ready because the Battle of Oranges must be seen to be believed. An epic three-day food fight which runs from Sunday until Shrove Tuesday every year, this festival is all about flying fruit in a re-enactment of a skirmish dating back to the 12th century. MARCH, marzo Feast of San Giuseppe, CAMPANIA, SICILY, LAZIO Across southern Italy on March 19th, Italians celebrate San Giuseppe with myriad versions of zeppole, the more-ish crispy fried dough balls which are a popular street food throughout the south. Ask for the melt-in-your-mouth Zeppole di San Giuseppe – and don’t even try stopping at just one…. Read More