Butcher's Broom Asparagus Festival in Rometta

Asparagus lovers cannot miss this delicious event which is held every year in Rometta, in the province of Messina, and which involves not only the sweet tooth but also those who prefer events that manage to mix in a skilful balance both food and wine traditions those related to local folklore and history.
Here, then, are all the details needed to take part in the next edition of the wild asparagus holly festival in Rometta.

Description of the wild asparagus butcher's broom festival in Rometta

The Wild Asparagus Festival Pungitopo in Rometta is an appointment that has asparagus as its great protagonist. On the hills of Rometta there is, however, a particular asparagus that has found its natural habitat to grow luxuriantly and it is the one known as Spariciu Sabbagiu, which grows wild and spontaneous in these areas and has been known since ancient times for its numerous properties.
With this great protagonist, an event could only come out which is certainly centered above all on the proposal of typical dishes based on asparagus but which also includes other types of events, in particular dedicated to folklore and culture.

It should not be forgotten, in fact, that Rometta has a very ancient history since its birth dates back to Byzantine era. In 965, then, the town was conquered by the Saracens and traces of their passage are still visible today.

The story linked to the wild asparagus holly festival in Rometta

This year the wild asparagus holly festival in Rometta reaches its thirteenth edition: the event, in fact, was organized for the first time in 2010 with the aim of promoting the territory of Rometta and San Cono, which is a fraction of the main village.
In particular, the foundation of San Cono is linked to the figure of Holy Canon that in the Middle Ages the inhabitants of Rometta invoked with prayers in order to obtain its protection from a terrible plague epidemic.
All these peculiarities make the territory very rich in traditions and history, a heritage that should not be lost and which prompted the representatives of the Vivi Rometta Association to give life to this event which is held in the summer month and which is part of a complex of other appointments that are part of the Summer in Rometta calendar.

When the festival takes place

The wild asparagus holly festival in Rometta is held every year in July, usually in the first days of the month. It is not a fixed date, given that the appointment is purely food and wine and to promote the area, so it is usually organized on a weekend in July, so as to give the opportunity to an ever growing public to visit the village and discover its beauties but above all its goodness.
The period, on the other hand, was chosen because it is the one in which the asparagus harvest is most abundant: in fact, even if the event is held over a single weekend, in the preceding weeks the entire population of the village is involved in wild asparagus harvest.

Where the event takes place

The wild asparagus butcher's broom festival in Rometta is held in the village of the same name but also involves the territory of San Cono. This fraction of Rometta is located slightly on a hill, surrounded by woods, because it is precisely in this natural setting that the holly asparagus grows spontaneously, which is the great protagonist of the event.
During the event is the entire e ancient village on the Peloritani who is involved in the event given that the organizers certainly want to discover a local gastronomic excellence but above all to bring visitors to discover the town and its monuments.

What to do during the wild asparagus butcher's broom festival in Rometta

Those with a sweet tooth know very well that during the wild asparagus holly festival in Rometta they will be able to taste many dishes based on this wild asparagus which since ancient times (but in reality still today) was used not only in savory dishes but its properties they were also exalted when used in infusions and herbal teas.
For this reason, on the stands during the event, visitors will be able to try many different dishes, all obviously based on asparagus, both savory and sweet. Furthermore, raw asparagus or in the form of preserves can be purchased to take away, to continue to savor it even once you return home.

In addition to the culinary appointment, it is possible to take part in many moments of folklore and entertainment, to get to know the millenary history of this locality more closely. An event that is always much appreciated, for example, is the palio delle contrade but also the parades in costume, with the display of flag-wavers, which give visitors the sensation of being catapulted into a distant and fairy world.
Finally, there are also local craft stands to bring a small souvenir of an incredible land full of charm and taste, of which the butcher's broom asparagus is just one example.

How to get to Rometta

Those who are interested in taking part in the wild asparagus holly festival in Rometta will be able to easily reach the town as it is very well connected to the main Sicilian cities.
For those who decide to come by car, the reference motorway is the A20 both from Messina and from Palermo: at the Rometta exit you must then continue on the Sp56 until you reach your destination.
From Palermo it is also possible to take the regional train which stops right at the Rometta Marea station. Finally, both from Palermo and from Messina, there is a bus service that connects the cities to Rometta Marea, with numerous intermediate stops.