Rome is getting ready to celebrate the king of Italian snacks: from September 24 to 27, the Città dell’Altra Economia will host the very first Tramezzino Festival. This free event (from 7:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.) is dedicated entirely to the famous crustless bread triangle, featuring over 30 variations for the occasion—ranging from classic recipes to the most creative combinations.
In the city, in addition to the classics like cooked ham and cheese or tuna and tomatoes, you can find tramezzini with carbonara or amatriciana sauce.
The festival will take place in a 2,000-square-meter area. In addition to the food stands, the organizers have planned:
- A stage featuring live music and performances
- A cocktail bar and craft beers
- Relaxation areas and foosball tables
- An area dedicated to children’s entertainment
The Origins of the Tramezzino
When we talk about the tramezzino, we’re referring to a Savoyard invention with a D’Annunzio-inspired name. Although today it’s a staple at Roman deli counters (famous for its “stuffed-to-the-brim” fillings) and Venetian bacari, the tramezzino was born in Turin in 1925. The invention is credited to Angela and Onorino Nebiolo, owners of the famous Caffè Mulassano in Piazza Castello. Upon returning to Italy after a stint in the United States, they decided to adapt the concept of Anglo-Saxon tea sandwiches, using, however, very soft sliced bread—strictly crustless—and filling it with butter and local ingredients.
The name, however, was not coined by the Nebiolo couple. It was Gabriele D’Annunzio who gave this soft snack its new name. The poet, a frequent visitor to Mulassano, coined the word “tramezzino” as a diminutive of “tramezzo” (meaning interlude), to describe the perfect snack to enjoy halfway between breakfast and lunch, thereby permanently replacing the English term “sandwich.”
Where: Città dell’Altra Economia snc, Largo Dino Frisullo, 00153 Rome.
