La scartozzera

La Scartozzera is a festival deeply rooted in the collective memory of Ligurian communities, celebrating corn and the agricultural traditions tied to its processing. In the hinterland of La Spezia, at San Lazzaro di Borghetto-Melara, this event recreates the ancient gestures of corn shucking—a ritual that once brought families and communities together around a fundamental activity of rural life. The festival's name itself, La Scartozzera, evokes this moment of shared labor and collective work, transforming an ancient practice into a modern occasion for rediscovery and celebration. During the event, corn becomes the absolute star of the table, transforming into simple, authentic dishes that represent the essence of Ligurian peasant cuisine. Steaming polenta, prepared according to traditional recipes, stands as the festival's symbolic dish, accompanied by rabbit stew and roast sauce. The gastronomic stands also offer pappelle di granturco (corn fritters), sweet cornmeal pancakes, polenta tart, and authentic maisena—traditional preparations passed down through generations. Each dish tells a story of popular culinary wisdom, of ingredients noble in their simplicity, complemented by local wines and traditional beverages. The festival atmosphere is enriched by evocative moments: historical reenactments of corn shucking with demonstrations of ancient techniques and period machinery, performances of Ligurian folk music and traditional dances that enliven the evenings. Visitors can actively participate in educational workshops where they discover the secrets of traditional corn processing. Moments of sociability and conviviality bring back to life the authentic atmosphere of Liguria's rural past, transforming La Scartozzera into an immersive experience where historical memory intertwines with flavor, food becomes a vehicle of tradition, and the Ligurian territory reveals its most authentic and fascinating roots.