Tortelli season. The "challenge" heats up August.

CREMA (Cremona) The tortello challenge is taking place again this year. On one side, Chiacchiere e tortelli , the event sponsored by the municipality of Crema , which banned the organization of the large-scale festival; on the other, the Tortellata Cremasca , which had always been held in Piazza Moro, but was later evicted by the administration and taken refuge at the Le Garzide farmhouse. This latter event is in its 44th edition. And it's at Le Garzide that it begins. Tonight is the first of three extended weekends featuring tortelli. But not only because the delicacies of the Crema area reign supreme here, such as Salva cheese, Spongarda dessert, and other traditional dishes. The dates planned by Diego, the historic manager who has inherited the legacy of Franco Bozzi, its inventor, for the Tortellata Cremasca, speak of August 1, 2 and 3, 8, 9 and 10 and then, the grand finale, August 14, 15, 16 and 17.

On the other hand, there will be six consecutive days spanning the Ferragosto holiday, from August 12th to 17th, in Piazza Moro, the city center, featuring, of course, the star dish: tortelli cremaschi. But not only that, because in addition to good food, there will also be music, entertainment, and attention to the environment and vulnerable groups. And this year too, the event will be organized by the Cremasco Carnival. This year, Chiacchiere e tortelli will launch an event starting in September and lasting until November: the Festival of Stuffed Pasta. As part of Chiacchiere e tortelli, the environmental sustainability project La Foresta del Carnevale Cremasco (The Forest of the Cremasco Carnival) also continues. The organization had committed to planting one tree for every 10 portions of tortelli sold in the square and every kilo of tortelli sold raw, for takeout. In 2024, 456 trees were planted in Tanzania, Kenya, Burkina Faso, and Madagascar. Last year, Chiacchiere e Tortelli was sold out every night, with a total attendance of around 3,500.

Pier Giorgio Ruggeri

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