Celebrations > Acaya (Vernole)> From March 1-10, 2010 > The “Te li pampasciuni"

Vernole (Apulia) - Italy

From today to March 10, 2010, the “te li pampasciuni Celebration” will take place in Acaya, subdivision of Vernole. It is an important celebration for the inhabitants, which worship these small onions (pampasciuni).

According to the popular legend, a first Friday of March, more than one century ago, a boat carrying people was wrecked in front of the Cesine.

Thanks to the prayers to the Madonna Addolorata, the persons were able to reach the coast and when they found the nearest village, they decided to organize a celebration in her honor, with balls, singings and small onions. Indeed, the village of Acaya is a territory rich in these small purple onions, which have a lightly bitter flavor.

From that time, each first Friday of March, these small onions are cooked on different ways : fried, baked, in omelet, even if in the Salento, they are eaten in a blend of oil, vinegar, salt and hot peppers.