Introduction
Parma's Food Valley is the heart of Italian excellence: prosciutto crudo, Parmigiano Reggiano and culatello di Zibello.
The area boasts 5 protected-designation products and 4 dishes of the local tradition and 1 UNESCO heritage sites.
Upcoming Events & Festivals
Here are the upcoming events in Parma e Food Valley:
Recurring Events
These events take place every year in Parma e Food Valley:
Festival del Prosciutto di Parma
SettembreLanghirano · Dal 1997
Prosciuttifici aperti e degustazioni nella capitale del prosciutto.
November Porc
NovembreBassa Parmense
Tour gastronomico dedicato ai salumi nei borghi della Food Valley.
Cibus
Maggio (biennale)Parma
Salone internazionale dell'alimentare, fiera B2B di riferimento.
PDO, PGI and local products
The protected-designation products of Parma e Food Valley represent the excellence of the area:
The world's most famous cured ham, aged for a minimum of 12 months with salt alone.
The "king of cheeses," produced with raw milk in the Parma region for over 900 years.
The king of cured meats, aged in the cellars along the Po River in the lower Parma area.
A cured salami with a sweet and delicate flavor, produced in the village of Felino.
A prized porcini mushroom from the Parma Apennines, the only mushroom with IGP designation.
What to eat in Parma e Food Valley
Small pasta discs filled with braised beef stewed in wine, served in broth.
Puffy and crispy fried pasta diamonds, served with cured meats and cheeses.
Ravioli filled with ricotta and Swiss chard, dressed with butter and Parmigiano Reggiano.
Pork shoulder slowly cooked, a specialty of San Secondo Parmense.
Traditions & Culture
A gastronomic tour through the villages of the Food Valley dedicated to pork and cured meats.
An operatic festival dedicated to Giuseppe Verdi held in Verdian sites.
UNESCO Heritage
Parma recognized as a UNESCO Creative City for Gastronomy.
Nature Parks & Protected Areas
An Apennine ridge featuring forests, lakes, and Apennine wildlife.
Historical Figures
Born in Roncole di Busseto in 1813, he lived and composed in the lands of Parma.
Guardian of the Culatello di Zibello tradition at the Antica Corte Pallavicina.
Local Communities
The festivals and events in Parma e Food Valley are organized by Pro Loco associations and local groups that safeguard the area's traditions:
Curiosities
“Parma is the only Italian city recognized as a UNESCO Creative City for Gastronomy.”
“Culatello di Zibello ages thanks to the Po River mists, which create the ideal microclimate.”
“Parmigiano Reggiano has been produced with the same ingredients for over 900 years: milk, rennet, and salt.”
“Fungo Porcino di Borgotaro is the only mushroom in the world with IGP designation.”
Frequently Asked Questions
1What Protected Designation of Origin (DOP) and Protected Geographical Indication (IGP) products are found in Parma and the Food Valley?expand_more
In Parma and the Food Valley, you'll find 5 protected designation products, including: Prosciutto di Parma (DOP), Parmigiano Reggiano (DOP), Culatello di Zibello (DOP), Salame di Felino (IGP), and Fungo Porcino di Borgotaro (IGP).
2What should I eat in Parma and the Food Valley?expand_more
The typical dishes of Parma and the Food Valley include: Anolini in brodo, Torta fritta, Tortelli d'erbetta, and Spalla cotta di San Secondo. Each of these dishes tells the gastronomic tradition of the territory.
3What UNESCO heritage sites are in Parma and the Food Valley?expand_more
In Parma and the Food Valley, there is 1 UNESCO heritage site: Parma UNESCO Creative City for Gastronomy (Cultural, 2015).
4What are the most famous food festivals in Parma and the Food Valley?expand_more
Among the most important festivals and events in Parma and the Food Valley are: Prosciutto di Parma Festival (Langhirano, September); November Porc (Lower Parma, November); Cibus (Parma, May - biennial).
5What natural parks are there in Parma and the Food Valley?expand_more
The protected natural areas in Parma and the Food Valley include: Parco Nazionale dell'Appennino Tosco-Emiliano (National Park).
6Who organizes the food festivals in Parma and the Food Valley?expand_more
The food festivals in Parma and the Food Valley are organized by local communities such as the Consorzio del Prosciutto di Parma and the Consorzio del Culatello di Zibello. These local tourism boards and associations are the guardians of the territory's gastronomic traditions.