The smell of roasting chestnuts wafting in the air always reminds me of the holidays. Tonight, that aroma is accompanied by the smell of grilled sausage for the residents of Prossedi at their annual sausage festival. The Sagra della Zazzicchia (Festival of Sausage) began at 7:00 PM in the central Piazza Umberto, filled with dancing and music.
Sausage contains a variety of meat and seasonings. The sausage served at Sagra della Zazzicchia includes a seasoning of chili, salt and orange peel that is mixed in and sits overnight to marinate in the seasoning before being stuffed into its sausage casing the next day. The sausage cures for up to 4 days then is grilled and served with broccoli.
The Baronial Palace of Prossedi sits proud and dominant on Piazza Umberto. At one time the palace boasted a moat and a drawbridge. It has passed through the hands of several families and continues to be privately owned. Prossedi was founded in the 7th century by refugees from neighbor Priverno. It sits on a hill overlooking the Amaseno Valley, less than two hours south of Rome.
INFORMATION
Map Prossedi, Lazio Region, Italy
ABOUT
Lisa M. Vogele is the author of Food & Folklore: A Year of Italian Festivals, a travel reference guide that “helps you go local” by incorporating festivals into your travel planning. You can find out more information about Lisa’s books and “Fun with Food & Festivals” Tours at Lisa’s Travel Guides.
PHOTO CREDITS
Panorama of Prossedi Croberto68 via wikimedia commons
Panorama of Countryside at Prossedi andynax via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA
Palazzo Baronale Raoul De Michelis via Foter.com / CC BY-NC
Clocktower Entry Gate on Piazza Umberto SignorC via Foter.com / CC BY-SA
Sausages on the Grill Julien Menichini via Foter.com / CC BY
Roasted Chestnuts paolo.r via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND
@Visit_Lazio
lisa loves to travel 
