Chestnut Festival – Market Exhibition of the Fine Marradi Chestnut (Florence)
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October in Florence, the chestnut month. Specifically, marroni chestnuts

Among the many eno-gastronomic treasures found in the Florentine territory, there’s the “marrone” chestnut from Mugello: a product waiting to be discovered at this time of the year.

If September is the month of wine, October is undoubtedly the month of chestnuts. And in the Florentine territory, there’s a kind of chestnut whose quality is known and beloved worldwide, so much so that it is formally protected.

We’re talking about the marrone chestnut from Mugello, an IGP product from this wonderful area. It is an exclusive variety, protected and honoured with an official title, and at this time of year, it is at the centre of festivals, events, and… recipes.

Chestnut Festival in Marradi

The queen of the Marrone chestnut is the small town of Marradi, where every year, the Chestnut Festival "Exhibition of the good Marron Marron Market" takes place (this year, it takes place on Sundays 6, 13, 20 and 27 of October 2024), a sort of block party, and where there are activities tied to its history that are meant to spread awareness about the chestnut and contribute to defending it. Wouldn’t you like to participate in a guided hike through the woods to understand better the art of harvesting this fruit?

Mugello Chestnut Road

There is also an itinerary named the “Strada del Marrone del Mugello di Marradi”, where you can immerse yourself in a landscape dominated by chestnut groves, where chestnuts are the essence of the cultural, rural and food tradition, having remained for centuries the primary food source for local citizens (it isn’t a coincidence that the chestnut tree was nicknamed “the bread tree”).

Until recently, the lives of many local families revolved around caring for the chestnut groves, an activity that culminated in the October harvest. Nutrition was almost entirely comprised of chestnut trees and their products.

Typical chestnut-based dishes

Chestnuts can be eaten in many ways and are great in many recipes. The most common preparations, like roasting or boiling the chestnuts, are also available. Sweets made with chestnut flour, including castagnaccio, necci (fritters with ricotta or chocolate), and chestnut cake, are also available. Is your mouth watering yet?

One of the things to do in Florence if you love this fruit or want to know more about it is to visit Mugello in October. The autumn atmosphere makes this territory even more stunning. In addition to the beautiful landscape, you can admire the results of the extraordinary efforts, especially in recent decades, of local chestnut harvesting. The activity has allowed centuries-old chestnut trees to be rescued and has contributed to promoting the quality of these products today, which are recognised worldwide.

Photo credits Chestnut Festival in Marradi: https://tg24.sky.it/lifestyle/2021/10/02/raccolta-castagne-dove#10