September 6, 2026 · Montalbano Elicona (ME)
The 3rd edition of the Sagra della Ricotta in Montalbano Elicona celebrates both sweet and savory dishes made with fresh ricotta, from classic cannoli to creamy cheesecake. Visitors can enjoy live painting, folk music, cooking demonstrations and kid‑friendly entertainment, all leading up to a dance‑filled evening show by Luciano Fraita with special guest Rosario Renda.
Indulge in a culinary journey centered on ricotta: sip on a smooth ricotta liqueur, bite into a traditional Sicilian cannolo or a slice of rich ricotta cheesecake, and cool down with gelato made from the same creamy cheese. Savour hearty pasta tossed in a sauce of Nebrodi black pork, and sample two street‑food sandwiches – one with slow‑roasted pork, baked ricotta and sun‑dried tomatoes, the other with fresh ricotta, Nebrodi black pork mortadella and pistachio cream. Finish with a slice of authentic Sicilian cassata.
Sunday, September 6 – the day kicks off at 9:00 am with "I Colori della Sagra," an open‑air painting session at Villa Beatrice Romano. At 10:00 am the official inauguration takes place with a ribbon‑cutting ceremony attended by local officials. From 11:00 am the artisan market opens, alongside a roaming folk music performance by Sicily Folk. Between 12:00 and 4:00 pm the food stalls serve ricotta‑based treats while Simone Catalano provides live music, ranging from easy‑listening to folk dances and karaoke. A cooking show by the Messina Provincial Chefs and Pastry Chefs Association starts at 12:30 pm. At 4:30 pm the folk group I Nebrodi performs, followed by a traditional Sicilian carriage parade at 5:00 pm organized by the Gullotti Museum of Sicilian Carriages. Food stalls reopen at 5:30 pm and continue until midnight. The painting competition is awarded at 5:30 pm in Piazza Nasisi. Children’s entertainment, including a magic street show by Mago Salvin, begins at 6:00 pm in Piazza Borghese. The evening culminates at 9:30 pm with Luciano Fraita’s dance show, featuring special guest Rosario Renda, also in Piazza Borghese.