Buenos Aires Festival Celebrates Fugazzeta Pizza

Why this is here: The festival expects each participating pizzeria to use roughly half a kilo of cheese in their 36 centimeter fugazzeta molds.

In Buenos Aires, Argentina, the first Fugazzeta Fest takes place May 23 and 24, celebrating the origins of a local pizza variation. The festival will be held at Iberlucea 1001 in La Boca, a historic neighborhood known for its immigrant roots. Chef Jorge D’Agostini organized the event to honor La Boca’s culinary history, detailed in his book La Boca pizza, cocina, identidad.

The fugazzeta, a pizza-like creation of dough, cheese, and onion, developed through cultural exchange. It combines the Italian focaccia with Argentina’s strong dairy production and tradition of baking. Local pizzerias like Burgio and Fare will offer classic and innovative versions, alongside sweets from Gino el Capo.

D’Agostini notes historical records show the area’s early Italian immigrants adapted to available ingredients. While the festival spotlights the dish’s history, questions remain about the precise evolution of the recipe and its ingredients over time. The event aims to recognize the unique place of La Boca in shaping Argentine cuisine, and the festival will continue to evolve.