• Food & Wine

Le Palle di Agilulfo

A traditional dessert from Lomello

Among the traditional sweets of Lomellina, one stands out for its unique name: "Palle di Agilulfo" (Agilulfo’s Balls). This walnut-shaped biscuit was created by the Pro Loco of Lomello to honor Agilulfo, Duke of Turin, whom Queen Theodelinda married in 590 in the picturesque Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Lomello.

A Sweet Treat That Tells a Story

"Establishing a place in Lomellina’s rich culinary tradition, filled with numerous specialties, was no easy task," explains Gabriele Prinelli, president of the Pro Loco of Lomello. "However, since this pastry is a royal delicacy, dedicated to a great Lombard king like Agilulfo, it has earned a place of honor among the delights of this Lombard land, once the heart of the Lombard kingdom."

Lomello, renowned for its glorious medieval history, was considered a sort of second capital of the Lombard kingdom after Pavia. The Pro Loco has successfully enhanced this heritage by pairing a unique dessert with the town’s symbolic landmarks: the proto-Romanesque Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, the Baptistery of San Giovanni ad Fontes, and the Renaissance Castle of Count-Cardinal Alessandro Crivelli.

The Birth of a Delight

The "Palle di Agilulfo" were first created during the Great Lombard Festival, an event celebrating the wedding of Theodelinda and Agilulfo. To complete the medieval banquet, held every third weekend of June in commemoration of this historic marriage, the Pro Loco engaged a group of local cooks: Rosina Anna Colla, Elsa Negri, Francesca Meloni, Giuseppina Giuliani, and Francesca Villani.

Though initially made in a playful spirit, the "Palle di Agilulfo" have since become a source of pride for the Lomello community. The recipe and production remain closely guarded by the Pro Loco. These sweets have become a symbol of Lomello, sought after by tourists and appreciated as a unique gift idea.

A Recipe from the Past

Early medieval banquets often ended with sweet treats. To create the "Palle di Agilulfo," the Pro Loco drew inspiration from historical traditions and local ingredients: flour, sugar, butter, and walnuts. After multiple trials, they perfected a soft and flavorful biscuit. For its distinctive shape, they chose to use walnut-shaped molds.

Today, there are several variations:

  • Classic, just as originally made;
  • Chocolate or coffee-flavored dough;
  • Filled with dried fruit cream, reminiscent of Lombard banquets;
  • Filled with chocolate cream, a later addition following the discovery of America.

A Sweet Treat to Discover

The "Palle di Agilulfo" are the perfect blend of history, tradition, and flavor. Don’t miss the chance to taste them during your visit to Lomello and immerse yourself in the rich cultural and culinary heritage of this fascinating town.

 


Other links

Facebook
Take me here: Le Palle di Agilulfo

On the same topic

Flavors and Products from Garda

Lake Garda is an ideal place for gourmets and wine lovers
  • Food & Wine
Discover the flavors and products from Garda

Bresaola

One of the symbolic products of Valtellina, obtained through the method of preserving meat by salting and drying.
  • Food & Wine
Bresaola

Lombard Mostarda Recipe

With a strong taste, the mostrada is prepared with fruit, sugar and mustard essence
  • Food & Wine
Lombard Mostarda recipe, an ancestral flavor

Flavours of the Oltrepò Pavese: Autumnal weekends away within a stone’s throw of Milan

Discover Pavese – Enjoy an autumn weekend of tradition, culture and flavour among the most charming villages of the Oltrepò Pavese. Take a look at this list of ideas and get inspired.
  • Food & Wine
 Flavours of the Oltrepò Pavese:  Autumnal weekends away within a stone’s throw of Milan

Wines of Valtellina

The extreme variety of the Lombardy territories is reflected in a very wide range of absolutely fine and famous red and white wines all over the world
  • Food & Wine
Discover and savor the wines of Valtellina

Lemons of Garda

Beautiful greenhouse gardens enrich the Brescia side of the lake, made of walls and white pillars that climb the mountain, in total harmony with the environment
  • Food & Wine
Lemons of Garda, renowned local products

Bergamo, hunting for flavors

Valleys of extraordinary beauty, like the city that looks at them from the walls. Wines, cheeses, pasta.
  • Food & Wine
Bergamo, hunting for flavors

A gastronomic tour of Lake Iseo

Lake Iseo is rich in nature, history, culture, and unique flavours. Start your taste adventure here.
  • Food & Wine
A gastronomic tour of Lake Iseo

Tasting your way around Monza and Brianza

Wild garlic pesto, pink asparagus from Mezzago, white potatoes from Oreno: discover all the local flavours of Monza e Brianza.
  • Food & Wine
Tasting your way around Monza and Brianza

Cremona Nougat Recipe

It is a variation of the traditional sweet that includes the addition of aromas such as vanillin and candied fruit, which make the mixture softer based on sugar, honey and album
  • Food & Wine
Cremona Nougat Recipe, homemade goodness

Wine Cellars in Casteggio

An ancient village in the Oltrepò Pavese, rich in high quality vineyards
  • Food & Wine
Wine cellars in Casteggio, a hidden treasure

Taleggio

Taleggio DOP, a great talent of Italian cuisine makes Italians good forks, true gourmets
  • Food & Wine
Taleggio

For Wine Cellars in Lombardy

Rows of vineyards line the countryside, producing some of the finest wines in the world. Exploring Wine Cellars in Lombardy
  • Food & Wine
Vineyards in Sondrio in Valtellina

The cheese

Ben sei formaggi prodotti nel Cremonese hanno ottenuto il riconoscimento DOP (Denominazione di Origine Protetta): grana padano, provolone valpadana, taleggio, quartirolo lombardo, gorgonzola e salva cremasco.
  • Food & Wine
The cheese

Pane di San Siro

I San Sirini: a typical sweet of the feast of the patron saint of Pavia
  • Food & Wine
Pane di San Siro

Traditional cheeses of lombardy

It is from Lombardy that some of the most famous Italian cheeses come from all over the world
  • Food & Wine
Traditional cheeses of Lombardy

Crotti in Valchiavenna

Discovering the natural cellars formed under the boulders of ancient landslides from which the "sorel" blows
  • Food & Wine
Valchiavenna@inLombardia_Adobestock

Cremona Local Products Guide

meats and cheeses characterize the Cremonese gastronomy
  • Food & Wine
Cremona local products guide, gourmet experiences

Lake Garda, olives and lemon houses

Calm waters and mountains landscapes, olives and lemon houses, an exceptional extra virgin olive oil
  • Food & Wine
Sirmione, Garda lake

Discover the flavors of Valtellina

Leafy woods and thermal waters. Alpine pastures that offer great cheeses, meats and full-bodied wines
  • Food & Wine
A caccia di sapori in Valtellina