Palio del Pettine (Comb-Ribbed Maccheroni Challenge)

The Palio del Pettine in Mirandola, situated in the Bassa Modenese region, is a gastronomic festival dedicated to celebrating the traditional 'Maccherone al Pettine delle Valli Mirandolesi', an iconic dish of local peasant heritage. This pasta is strictly handmade by rolling the dough and pressing it over a traditional loom reed (pettine), an essential tool that creates the signature ridges designed to hold rich sauces. The heart of the event is a friendly culinary competition between six local hamlets: Cividale, Gavello, Mortizzuolo, Quarantoli, San Giacomo Roncole, and San Martino Spino. Each community crafts its maccheroni following official historic guidelines, pairing them with an exclusive ragù deeply rooted in its own local tradition. Visitors can taste all six competing recipe variations alongside other regional specialties, casting their votes as part of the public jury alongside a panel of food experts.