The centuries-old Festa de la Renga in Parona

Parona is a cheerful neighborhood on the outskirts of Verona, facing towards the Valpolicella region. In medieval times, it was a mandatory stop for the barges traveling down the Adige River, as crossing through the city was prohibited on feast days. The boatmen would stop to refresh themselves in the inns along the river, paying with part of the goods they transported, including smoked herring from the northern seas. This humble fish was cooked so extraordinarily in the local taverns that it became a tradition to visit Parona during Lent to eat herring ("renga" in the Veronese dialect) with grilled polenta and Valpolicella wine.

Festa della Renga: beginning-of-Lent celebration

Thus, the traditional Festa de la Renga was born, which still takes place at the beginning of Lent, on Ash Wednesday, with allegorical parades and food stands. A simple yet tasty dish, the served herring (available in a jar for shipping) with polenta is excellent as an appetizer or main course, depending on the amount eaten. Served in small portions, it makes for exquisite finger food and can also be a delicious pasta sauce. And it is precisely at one of the tavern owners where the dish is so well-prepared during the festival that we chose our favorite herring producer!

Giampaolo Beschin