The Zucca (pumpkin) is one of the most characteristic vegetables of the Bassa Reggiana, especially since it lies at the heart of many traditional recipes of the area, some of which date back to the Renassaince. These includes various risotti (rice-based dishes) and above all the classic tortelli di zucca, a delicacy that brightens kitchens and tables throughout the Po Valley.

Pumpkins from this territory encompass a wide range of varieties, the most beloved being the zucca violina, with its elongated shape, and the traditional zucca Reggiana e Mantovana, usually nicknamed "cappello di prete" (priest’s hat) for its distinctive rounded form.

So dear is this vegetable to the local culinary traditions that, each year, in Reggiolo, the Fiera della Zucca (Eng. Pumpkin Fair) is held, celebrating it with tastings and seasonal specialities.