Cervia’s Salted Delights: A Culinary and Cultural Celebration

From September 5th to 8th, 2024, the charming coastal town of Cervia will once again host its renowned culinary and cultural festival, “Sapore di Sale” (Taste of Salt). This year’s event will highlight Cervia’s prized “Sale Dolce” (sweet salt), celebrating its rich history and the revitalized salt harvesting process. The four-day festival is a vibrant tapestry of tradition, gastronomy, international exchange, and cultural interaction, showcasing regional delicacies from across Italy, from the sun-drenched shores of Sicily and Sardinia to the verdant plains of Lombardy and Campania. The unifying theme, of course, remains salt – its role in enhancing the flavors of food and in fostering human connections.

The festival will feature numerous events centered around Cervia’s unique salt-making heritage, culminating in the deeply moving arrival of the “Burchiella,” a traditional boat laden with newly harvested “Armèsa de Sel” (salt harvested from the Camillone salt pans), with its historical reenactment scheduled for Saturday at 4:30 PM, accompanied by the sounding of a siren. The festivities commence on Thursday, September 5th at 7 PM, with the official ribbon-cutting ceremony performed by Cervia’s Mayor, Mattia Missiroli, aboard the “Tre Fratelli” launch, nestled amongst the historic boats of the “Mariegola delle Romagne” fleet in the harbor canal.

This year introduces a focus on the renowned Sardinian author Grazia Deledda, commencing with readings of her “Novelle Cervesi” and a book presentation (“Grazia Deledda a Cervia: Voices from the Sea and Wind”) at the Torre Salt Warehouse at 5 PM on Thursday. This precedes a delectable inaugural dinner at 8:30 PM at the Officine del Sale restaurant, featuring a collaborative menu created by Chef Dimitri Contessi and ChefToChef colleagues, blending the culinary traditions of Romagna and Sardinia.

Food enthusiasts will be delighted by the array of culinary offerings, including a superb selection of Emilia-Romagna specialties from food trucks such as “Gusto Parma” and Bologna’s “Bar Stellino,” serving delights ranging from fried pizza and tigelle to Parma ham, Bolognese mortadella, anolini pasta, and artisan charcuterie boards. The gastronomic scene will also include tastings of Bolognese delicacies at the Torre Salt Warehouse, courtesy of “Regina del Tortellino” and local charcutiers, alongside new vendors at Torre San Michele, such as Aurora Osteria e Cucina (Ravenna), Ristorante Don Abbondio (Forlì), and Santa Piada. Sale Dolce will expand its presence at the canal-side wharf, offering gourmet pizzas and other culinary delights from its adjacent restaurant.

Returning favorites include Osteria Bartolini, Osteria La Campanara, Mercato Coperto – Casa Spadoni, and Ristorante Essentia, all situated beneath the Torre. The Italian Sommelier Association (AIS) Romagna will once again host its daily wine tasting events at 6 PM, featuring regional wines in partnership with the Consorzio Vini di Romagna, with the addition of an outdoor tasting area in the Torre San Michele piazza. Slow Food Cagliari will also return, showcasing Sardinian salt and its unique herbal infusions, accompanied by pairings with Sardinian products, presented by experts Carla Erdas, Fabrizio Mascia, and Raimondo Mandis. The famous award-winning Campanian buffalo mozzarella, prepared with Cervia’s Sale Dolce, will also be available. The Salviamo i Mulini di Trapani association returns, offering a tasting experience featuring Trapani products, including tuna in oil, Sicilian cannoli, and Paceco melons, guided by chef Paolo Pecorella.

A detailed daily schedule of events is available on the official website, www.cerviasaporedisale.it. Please note that this description is for informational purposes only and any inquiries regarding the event should be directed to the organizers.