Festa dei ceci di Cicerale

In the heart of Cilento National Park stands Cicerale, a small village that treasures one of Campania's most authentic gastronomic gems: the native chickpea. Cultivated for centuries among hills sloping toward the sea, this legume represents far more than a simple ingredient; it is the living symbol of a peasant culture that endures through time, passed down with pride from generation to generation. The Chickpea Festival, scheduled for August 11-14, 2026, celebrates this unbreakable bond between the land and its traditions, offering visitors an immersive experience in the authentic flavors of Cilento's humble cuisine. Chickpea lasagna reigns supreme at the festive table, but diners will have an embarrassment of riches: steaming soups that warm the soul, golden and crispy fritters, rustic salads fragrant with earth and seasonal freshness. Each dish tells a story of simplicity and culinary wisdom, where unpretentiousness becomes genuine strength. Locally sourced ingredients, carefully selected, guarantee an authenticity increasingly rare on modern tables. Yet the Festival is more than just food: folk performances, concerts, and guided field tours round out a rich and varied program. Interactive workshops on legume cultivation allow visitors to truly understand the territory, to experience firsthand the work that has sustained this community for centuries. A rare opportunity to rediscover the value of our connection to the land in an age when this concept grows ever more distant from daily life.