Arpino. The ‘Pappope’ of Saint Anthony Abbot

January 17 is the day dedicated to St. Anthony Abbot and the blessing of the animals.

In Arpino animals are blessed in the church and polenta (the Pappone) is distributed free.

This tradition was established in memory of the hot meal that the local fraternity handed out to the poor in this day.

The ‘Pannope’ of Saint Anthony Abbot is cooked in the streets in large copper pots (the "cuttrelle") and is then topped with sauce and cheese.