Ascoliva is back, a festival that celebrates the oliva ascolana in the romantic setting of Ascoli Piceno. From August 14 to 23, for its 8th edition, this will be a special occasion to find out all about this product of local excellence, between history, tradition and gastronomic events. And it will be Amore al primo morso (Love at first bite)!
Amore al primo morso, this is the claim of Ascoliva, a festival entirely dedicated to the oliva ascolana, which will be back for its 8th edition from August 14 to 23 of this year. An event conceived to promote local tradition which has become known worldwide, Ascoliva is the perfect moment to visit the district capital and be enchanted by it. This food, typical of the area, and a picturesque town are the perfect combination to continue in the discovery of the many treasures that this country has to offer.
What is oliva ascolana?
Should there be still someone who does not know what they are or has never tasted them, then let’s provide a brief introduction. The oliva ascolana is a traditional dish from the Marche region, specifically from the town of Ascoli Piceno. It’s a pickled green olive from the Ascolana Tenera variety (a D.O.P. product), stuffed with minced meat and spices, breaded and fried. Basically, a true delicacy!
Traditionally, every family have their own recipe, each with their slight differences, where one might opt for one kind of meat over another or some spices in particular. Although you can find the oliva ascolana anywhere in Italy, you cannot really say that you have had some great ones if you have never tasted handmade ones. The oliva ascolana is also protected by a dedicated consortium since 2018.
What happens at the Ascoliva Festival?
In the monumental setting of Arringo Square, the biggest in the city, every year Ascoliva Festival brings to everybody’s attention foods of the greatest quality, through panels about history and tradition, shows and gastronomic workshops. Visitors of the event can buy a ticket that includes tastings of three types of oliva ascolana and other local dishes offered by the exhibitors of the area.
In the local cuisine, the fritto misto is especially famous. A mix of fried food, that in addition to the famous olives, includes cremini (cubes of fried cream), fried vegetables and breaded lamb chops. But there is also not fried stuff! Ascoli Piceno’s cuisine is so much more and a trip to the Ascoliva Festival will allow you to immerse yourself in this delicious culinary tradition!
Previous editions: cooking competitions, contests and the world’s biggest olive
While we wait to find out what is in the works for this year’s edition, why not go over previous editions through some highlights? Every year, many housewives have a contest to declare the best and most traditional olives there are. All combined with tips and tricks, recipes and anecdotes on Marche’s most famous dish.
In the previous editions there was also a Miss Oliva, selected as part of a contest which was something in between a beauty pageant and a cooking competition. In a nutshell, every girl who took part was matched to an olive by a different producer, leaving to the members of the jury the hard job to decide which olive deserved to win. In 2018, there was the concept of the world’s biggest oliva ascolana: 3,5 kg of a crunchy oliva ascolana!
What to see in Ascoli Piceno in occasion of the Ascoliva Festival
I may be a bit biased, since part of my family comes from this area, but Ascoli Piceno is one of those places that you have to see for yourself. You have to see it because it is small, elegant, picturesque. With its town center almost entirely made of travertine, it is a town that will charm you and take you back in time. In addition to the wonderful food, the architectural beauty of its town center will leave you breathless.
Together with Arringo Square, setting of the Ascoliva Festival and of St Emidio’s Cathedral, another beautiful spot is Piazza del Popolo. Showing off the typical Renaissance style, it has been described by historian Antonio Rodilossi as “one of Italy’s most harmonious squares”, due to the sense of elegance and regality it oozes.
There is basically no excuse not to get in the car and go to Ascoli Piceno! Whether you are vacationing in the Marche, Abruzzo or Lazio region, and you want to make a trip of a couple of hours to eat the best oliva ascolana, or if you come from any other area of Italy to visit this beautiful city: it will be worth it!
