This way for la dolcelatte vita

The picturesque seaside town of Camogli fires up a four-metre wide frying pan - reckoned to be the biggest in the world - for its annual fish festival, which this year takes place on 8 May

Fish in Liguria

The picturesque seaside town of Camogli fires up a four-metre wide frying pan - reckoned to be the biggest in the world - for its annual fish festival, which this year takes place on 8 May. Freshly caught fish is cooked on bonfires on the beach.

Camogli Tourism (00 390 185 771 066; www.camogli.it).

Truffles in Piedmont

The Fiera del Tartufo in Alba is a showcase for the sought after white truffles, tartufo bianco, found around the northern town of Alba. Now in its 75th year, it is a month-long fair every October featuring a daily truffle market, food and wine tastings, parades, a world truffle auction and a donkey palio.

Alba Tourist Office (00 39 017 33 58 33; www.fieradeltartufo.org).

Tomatoes in Sicily

On 1 May, the seaside town of Sampieri hosts the Festa del Grappolino, where chefs create pizzas, breads and pasta dishes using local vine tomatoes.

Ragusa Tourism (00 39 093 22 21 511; www.ragusaturismo.it).

Pine nuts in Tuscany

Held from 1 to 19 June in the town of Chiesanuova on the fringes of Florence, this festival celebrates the attributes of pine nuts, a feature of the region's cucina. The festival includes parades, music, dancing and food stalls selling products made from pine nuts, such as a sticky confection called pinocchiati.

Florence Tourist Office (00 39 05 52 33 20; www.firenzeturismo.it).

Olive oil in Palermo

The annual Fiera del Mediterraneo starts next Saturday, providing the opportunity to try artisinal foods from all over Italy, with olive oil and wine high on the agenda this year.

Fiera del Mediterraneo, via A Sadat, Palermo (00 39 09 16 20 91 18; www.fiere.parma.it). Admission €3 (£2.15).

Melons in Lombardy

Every July the small town of Viadana - 40km from Mantua - celebrates Lombardy's peak melon harvest with the Sagra del Melone. It is perhaps best tasted along with some locally produced prosciutto crudo.

Mantova Tourism (00 39 037 63 28 253; www.provincia.mantova.it).

Slow food in Turin

You'll have to wait until October 2006 for the next Slow Food festival, but then, being patient is what the movement is all about. Italy's largest gathering of artisan producers and supporters of the movement that seeks to reclaim real food and real cooking, features more than 500 exhibitors from all over Italy.

www.slowfood.com