Festival of Nocattolo and Typical Products in Nicosia

One of the most typical sweets of Sicily, much loved by the locals and beyond, is the nocattolo. As evidence of the passion for this small envelope of shortbread with almond heart, a festival is organized every year in Nicosia, where the Dolcetto originated in antiquity. Here's everything you need to know to take part in the Nocattolo and Typical Products Festival in Nicosia.

Nocattolo and Typical Products Festival in Nicosia: what it is about

The festival in Nicosia has been a fixed appointment for some years now and is organized to bring to the attention of tourists not only the nocattolo, which is a typical sweet of the place, but also many other typical products of the area which are an example of food and wine of the locality of Nicosia and beyond.
The occasion, then, can also be used to visit this small Sicilian village which has so many hidden beauties, given that its organizers also plan to guided visits to local monuments, cooking competitions, art exhibitions and much more.
The appointment foresees the involvement of the entire town and a rich program of musical events and stands dedicated not only to local culinary products but also to the more typical handicrafts of these areas.

The history of the festival in Nicosia

In reality, the history of the Sagra del Nocatolo and Typical Products in Nicosia is quite recent given that 2022 will be the eighth edition of the event. The nocattolo has always been a typical sweet of Nicosia and not only that, but it is also a product that has always had an exclusively local reputation, with a traditional recipe that was handed down from mother to daughter for a typically artisan preparation.
For some years, however, the Pro Loco of Nicosia has decided to organize an eno-gastronomic event with a view to promoting local excellence but also to make known to a wider public not only this delicious dessert but also many other typical products of the territory that can tickle even the most refined palates.
Hence the decision to organize this festival in Nicosia which showcases the best of the city from a food and wine point of view and beyond.

When the Festival takes place in Nicosia

Usually the festival in Nicosia is held in September but its date varies greatly from edition to edition. The choice of this period, at the end of the Sicilian summer, has a purely commercial motivation as it has the aim of gathering not only local visitors but also all the tourists who want to round off their holidays on the island.
Typically, in fact, the nocattolo is a sweet that is traditionally prepared on the occasion of religious holidays, especially Christmas and Easter, even if in recent years it has been cleared of these anniversaries and can be enjoyed at any time of the year.

The places of the event

The Nocattolo and Typical Products Festival in Nicosia involves the entire town, precisely because the goal is to make Nicosia known to a very large public. For this reason, if Piazza Garibaldi, which is the main one of the town, is the preferential location for the organization of the stands of typical products, the rest of the town is used for the cultural visits which are organized at each edition.
In particular, the cathedral basilica is the most coveted place by visitors as it has a wonderful wooden ceiling that saw the light between the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries but which was only rediscovered in 1917 thanks to the work of restoration by Walter Leopold, a German-born scholar.

Another unmissable stop is the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli inside which there is a beautiful marble baptismal font but also the relics of saints and some canvases that were painted around 1600 are kept.

What you can do at the Nocattolo and Typical Products Festival in Nicosia

Obviously the main reason for participating in the Nicosia festival is certainly to be able to taste the nocattolo but also to see how it is prepared according to the most ancient tradition. However, there are many typical products that can be tasted during the event, such as i cheeses and in particular the buffalo provola but also local cured meats.
There are also many stands offering macaroni with pork sauce, a typical dish of the local peasant tradition. In addition to this special food and wine itinerary, however, the event offers much more.
Guided visits to the city's monuments have already been mentioned, but for music lovers a must is the performance of the Philharmonic band, demonstrations of popular dances, the rally of historic vehicles, the culinary competition in which all chefs can take part amateurs who want to try their hand at typical Sicilian recipes. Finally, many events with entertainment dedicated to the little ones.

How to get to Nicosia

The road to take to get to Nicosia is the A19, both from Palermo and Catania. However, there are different exits to take as for those coming from Catania the reference one is Agira while those coming from Palermo will have to exit at Ponte Cinque Archi for Villarosa. There is also an alternative route which is the SS 117 and involves the passage from Santo Stefano di Camastra. For those who prefer the train, however, it must be borne in mind that Nicosia does not have its own station but the closest is that of Leonforte-Pirato from which, then, one must continue with a local bus service to reach the town in the province of Enna.