Wildwood Valley

Sagra della Castagna (Chestnut Festival)

This week we went to the small town of Teverina, about 15km from Casalena.  In the months of September and October many towns in Tuscany hold a festival. They can be a festival for funghi porcini, cinghiale (wild boar), fresh chestnuts, olive oil, tordo (a little bird), wine, and the list goes on and on.

We arrived to the sound of music and the smell of a fire roasting, there was a fantastic atmosphere created by a live band playing Italian classics of course.  Outside there was a raging fire with a 44 gallon drum filled with chestnuts sitting above the roaring fire.  Two men on either side were turning in continuation to get an even roast on the chestnuts and the sparks were flying high.

Inside the hall was a huge open fire place measuring 2 meters long and 1 m deep. With just one cook over seeing the cooking of an abundance of bistecca’s.

We enjoyed polenta with funghi porcini and ragu di cinghiale both specialty dishes during this season.  Afterwards we had our fair share of roasted chestnuts that is tradition loved by Italians when they are in season.

After our tummies were full we went to join the dancing and it was fantastic to see so many people up dancing.  Giacomo and Shanna thought they would join in and try to learn the local’s version of line dancing.  Imagine the local festival that we have in the towns of Nannup or Kojonup, it was just like that but a must say slightly better as it was done with great Italian flare!!!

If only we had taken the camera, I would have loved to share some pictures with you. We look forward to participating in some of the other local sagra’s that are to be held in the next few weeks.

love Shiv and Carlo