Cavatello and Pepper Festival in Cerami

Sicily, as we know, is also a land of food and wine and simple and genuine cuisine but no less tasty. A typical example is the many festivals that are held every month of the year in various Sicilian locations. Among these is the Cerami Festival which is dedicated to cavatello and pepper: here is everything you need to know to participate.

What is the Cavatello and pepper festival in Cerami

The original name of the festival refers to the Sicilian dialect and is U Pipi Ciramisi and du Cavatìeddu Atturratu, to indicate these two typical elements that are part of the local cuisine. In particular, the Cerami pepper is prepared according to a particular cooking technique, as it is first roasted and then seasoned with oil and salt and then enjoyed alone or accompanied by croutons and as a second course with meat and fish.

Cavatello, on the other hand, is not a type of pasta as the name might lead you to believe but it is a dry biscuit whose production is typical of this area and can hardly be enjoyed elsewhere. The Cerami Festival is therefore a unique opportunity to discover this area which is characterized by the presence of Nebrodi Park and at the same time let your palate be conquered by these delicacies.

The history of the Cerami Festival

The Cerami Festival has a relatively recent history as its first edition was held in 1992. The aim of the organizers was to make a wide audience aware of the goodness of the pepper produced and harvested in these areas, so as to clear it from purely local use.

After a few years we wanted to combine the pepper with another very typical product of the territory which is precisely the cavatello, this biscuit made with flour, sugar and eggs and then soaked in a syrup made with almonds which have previously been finely chopped, honey, cinnamon and various types of flavourings.
Since its first edition, the event has not missed an appointment, to the delight of the citizens of Cerami but also of all the tourists who crowd the streets of the town every year in view of this food and wine event.

When the festival is held in Cerami

There is no fixed date for the organization of the annual Cerami Festival dedicated to peppers and cavatello as the event is not linked to any religious celebration. Its organization, therefore, can vary from year to year with the only constant being that it is always scheduled during the weekend, so as to allow a greater number of people to take part.

Generally the festival is included in a busy calendar of summer events, between the end of August and the first two weeks of September, the period in which the harvesting of this special sweet pepper.

Where the festival is held

Obviously the Cerami Festival takes place in the town of the same name which is located within the Nebrodi Park. Unlike other religious events that involve the entire municipal territory, the Cavatello and pepper festival is set up in a place that is known to all like Lavina's snaps, an area immediately adjacent to a renowned source of drinking water.

The esplanade that houses the stands is located immediately below the sanctuary which is dedicated to the Madonna della Lavina. Legend has it that it was built to celebrate the discovery of a painting from the 1300th century which depicts the Virgin and which wandered in the waters of the stream without being ruined in any way. The festival dedicated to the Madonna della Lavina falls on 7 September and often coincides with the dates dedicated to the Cerami pepper festival.

What to do during the Cavatello and pepper festival in Cerami

In addition to food tastings of typical products, there are numerous activities that can be carried out during the Cavatello and pepper festival in Cerami and which make it an unmissable event for many different people. The main attraction is certainly the harvesting of the pepper which is then cleaned, roasted and seasoned to be offered to all participants.

To cheer up these operations there are the accordion players singing ballads and popular songs to invite everyone to the dance. Around this key event, there are many others that change from year to year to conquer a varied audience, such as the market of typical handicraft and agri-food products, musical shows, biscuit tastings, theatrical performances with a 'typically popular imprint.

There is no shortage of events reserved exclusively for the little ones, with specific entertainment to play and discover a land full of charm and mystery. Finally, at the end of the event, every year there is a fireworks display which attracts thousands of people from neighboring municipalities.

How to reach Cerami

To reach Cerami by car, you need to take the A19 motorway. For those arriving from Catania, the reference exit is that of Agira, taking which you can continue towards Cerami via the Ss 117 or the Ss 120. From Palermo, however, the reference exit is the Ponte Cinque Archi after which you can travel along the two state roads to reach your destination. In Palermo and Catania there is also a bus service that allows you to get to the festival in a few hours. For those who prefer the train, the closest station is Caronia or Leonforte-Pirato as it is not present in the town of the festival.