Montefioralle, a medieval hamlet close to Greve in Chianti, in Tuscany

The “Sagra delle fritelle” takes place in Montefioralle, near Greve in Chianti, in Tuscany on the Sunday that precedes or follows St.Joseph’s, on March 19.

This tradition goes back to the 16th century. On the occasion of St. Joseph’s feast, the inhabitants of this fortified hamlet, offered the famous “fritelle” (a kind of doughnut), made with rice, almonds and finely chopped herbs (borage, sage and mint), shaped into small balls and dep fried in olive oil and accompanied by locally produced vinsanto (a local dessert sweet straw wine);
Nowadays in Montefioralle, the dough is  made of rice cooked in milk flavored with orange bark and liquor, mixed with eggs, shaped into small balls and deep fried in a giant pan, two meters in diameter. The “fritelle” are then sprinkled with icing sugar. They are tastier when eaten still warm, with Chianti Classico made vinsanto.  Every year, during the Montefioralle “fritelle” festival, more than 220 kg of rice (nearly 450 lb) are used to prepare about 500 kg of exquisite “fritelle.” (1000 lb).

The boutique country hotel Villa le Barone is not yet open during the festival, but Montefioralle, a small medieval fortified hamlet surrounded by defense walls, is on the walking and cycling routes provided to Guests. Roam through the small alleys of the village, pass under the arches and you will feel like going back in time and especially at the time of Amerigo Vespucci: a house on the main street which retains a carved lintel decorated with a wasp (“vespa”) and a V, hallmarks of the Vespucci family, is said to be his birthplace. Outside the walls, the church of San Stefano, rebuilt in the 17th and 18th centuries, hosts valuable artwork.

Stay at the boutique hotel Villa le Barone,  Greve in Chianti, and visit Montefioralle!