Autumn in Barbagia, 32 events in ancient courtyards, organized by the Nuoro Chamber of Commerce and ASPEN, showcases this area of Sardinia with a focus on food, wine and local crafts. With events stretching over four months from September to December, each town opens its cortes ancient courtyards to narrate local history, flavours of the past and ancient customs.
Sardinian street food favourites
Visitors will learn about traditional and ancient processes of typical dishes such as maccarones de busa (elongated macaroni) the famous pane carasau bread, various sweetmeats and delicious cheeses. The cortes apertas also offer street food versions of local specialities to be consumed while strolling through the bustling streets or directly at the producer's home. And it is a long list including malloreddus which are little Sardinian gnocchi, and the famous porcheddu roast suckling pig.
Among the desserts we find the famous semolina seada made stuffed with cheese and the su pistiddu, pastry filled with cooked must or honey. Some villages like Mamoiada have made food their distinguishing feature. Tappas in Mamujada is Mamoiada's autumn event in Barbagia, and visitors will find about 130 different tapas finger foods and tasting portions of local delicacies.
Musical evenings with choirs and tenors
Other cortes apertas feature craft workshops such as embroidery in Nuoro will also host a series of musical events featuring choirs which are the city's musical signature. And then there is the tenor chant, recognised by Unesco as an Intangible Heritage of Humanity, with four tenors singing as they stand in a circle often wearing traditional dress. Information: https://www.cuoredellasardegna.it/autunnoinbarbagia/it/index.html
