We love hot peppers down here in Calabria, the toe of the boot, but there’s one particular village that is particularly pazzo (crazy) for the pods that pack a punch: Diamante, in the province of Cosenza, home of the annual Festival del Peperoncino held by the Accademia Italiana del Peperoncino.

Admission is free, and you can visit over 100 stands set up along the gorgeous lungomare (seaside promenade) along the Tyrrhenian Sea. Foods range from a cornetto al peperoncino (pastry filled with peppery cream) to tartufo piccante (ice cream with bits of peperoncini), and for competitive types, there’s even a hot pepper eating contest, il Campionato Italiano Mangiatori di Peperoncini.

If you need a little help keeping away malocchio, the Evil Eye, be sure to pick up some peperoncino-inspired jewelry . . . always a big seller.

For those looking to spice up their Italian experience, this year’s festival will be held September 10th to the 14th.