October

ITALY

Avella, Avellino province

Chestnut and Hazelnut Festival

2024: 11th - 13th & 18th - 20th October

Avella, in the Province of Avellino, has been hosting the Sagra della Castagna e della Nocciola, it's Chestnut and Hazelnut Festival since 2014 in celebration of it's long-standing arboricultural traditions. Aimed at enhancing the food and wine heritage of the area it offers a large programme of cultural and musical events.

[www.italybyevents.com/en/events/campania/chestnut-hazelnut-festival-avella]

SICILY

Festa della Nocciola

Badiavecchia, Novara di Sicilia, Messina

October 2024 (dates not confirmed)

Taking place in the region of Novara, referred to by some as 'the land of hazelnuts', the ancient village of Badiavecchia celebrates its hazelnut harvest each October with a large festival. Specialities on offer made locally, include desserts, crepes and hazelnut liqueur as well as the famous hazelnut sausage.

In the spring, Novara also hosts an ancient 'cheese-rolling' celebration, in which wheels of maiurchèa (a seasoned pecorino cheese) are rolled through the streets.

[https://www.siciliainfesta.com/sagre/festa_della_nocciola_a_novara_di_sicilia.htm]

[www.visitsicily.info/en/novara-di-sicilia]

[//www.vivasicilia.com/festa-della-nocciola-badiavecchia-novara-di-sicilia/]

SPAIN

Infiesto, Piloña, Asturias

October 2024 (traditionally the first Sunday)

Once exported in large quantities to England, but then

suffering a decline in trade because of other agricultural production (particularly livestock) and a fall in prices,

Asturias - the second most important region in Spain for hazelnut production after Catalonia - is known for hazelnut varieties that are recognised internationally for their high quality. These include Negreta, Amandi, Quirós, Espinareda, Casina and Villaviciosa.

The Asturian district of Piloña now promotes the production of its distinctive nuts with an annual hazelnut festival. Presenting the varied culinary uses of hazelnuts, for example in baked products such as the Bizcochu d'Ablana, a hazelnut cake, and giving awards for quality as well as the best pickers and best plantations, the festival has become emblematic of the hazelnut, helping to boost trade and awareness in general.

In demand for use in confectionery and alcoholic drinks, hazelnut trees in Piloña are now being carefully managed and new plantations established to further increase the quantity and quality of nuts produced. Trees are rejuvenated by pruning - removing 50% of older growth, dead branches or those growing at precarious angles - as well as fertilized and monitored for plant health.

https://asturias.com/festival-de-la-avellana/

https://en.asturias.com/hazelnut-festival

hazelnut

Corylus avellana

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October

ITALY

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