The “Uccelletti di Sant’Antonio” are traditional biscuits from Abruzzo prepared for the feast of 17 January in honour of Saint Anthony the Abbot, protector of fire and animals. The tradition originated in the Teramo area and still involves women from several families gathering to knead and shape these bird-shaped biscuits, filled with grape jam (scrucchiata), almonds, chocolate and cinnamon. They are offered to groups of itinerant singers made up of a pair of men, one dressed as Saint Anthony the Abbot and the other as the Devil, along with others dressed as shepherds, who chant verses in dialect to invoke protection from illness and poor harvests. The songs vary in type and are accompanied by accordion, bagpipe and percussion instruments. The questers carry baskets in which, at the end of the singing, the families visited place food items in addition to the traditional little birds..
COST PER PERSON
EXPERIENCE DATE
EXPERIENCE LOCATION
A workshop on the preparation of St Anthony’s uccelletti is proposed as part of a day
dedicated to this important tradition of agro-pastoral communities. Following a guided
excursion in the Fiume Fiumetto Nature Reserve to discover winter wild herbs, a
presentation on the meanings of the ritual practices surrounding the cult of the Egyptian
saint in the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga area, and a lunch featuring porchetta, the
women of Colledara and its hamlets will set up a table in the Visitor Centre and share with
participants their knowledge of ingredients, filling composition, and preparation and baking
techniques for this elaborate dry pastry product, in its two most common versions: smaller,
drier uccelletti and larger, softer ones. At the end of the workshop, participants will be able
to taste what they have created with their own hands. Programme:
INFO AND BOOKING
CONTACT DIRECTLY THE WORKSHOP ORGANIZER
Cooperativa 3M
Cooperativa Sociale 3M is an Abruzzo-based organisation founded in 2004 in Montorio al Vomano (TE). Established by a group of professionals with over ten years’ experience in the social sector, it focuses on improving the quality of life of disadvantaged individuals by providing non-medical home care services for the elderly and people with disabilities. Since 2012, it has specialised in educational services for children, becoming firmly rooted in the Teramo area. In its wide range of personal services, it relies on an ethical and reliable team and has received significant recognition over the years for its professionalism and strong local engagement.