Ditali Rigati (ridged thimbles) are part of the very short, straight cut pasta family and originate from Campania.
The shape of this pasta is inspired by the sewing thimble, but is open at the top as well. The chunky shape and ridges of Ditali Rigati makes it very versatile for pasta dishes with tomato or in soups and vegetable broths.
Ditali Rigati are especially suited to preparing pasta dishes with a variety of sauces ranging from meat to fish and from vegetables to pulses. The secret of a perfect recipe is that the sauces have a sufficiently liquid consistency so they penetrate inside the pasta.
This pasta is also just as good for preparing broths and soups with vegetables or pulses.
Available in 500g packs.
Chitarrina Abruzzese is a typical regional speciality with an original long shape and a square cross section which is smaller that the classic Maccheroni alla Chitarra.
Historically, the pasta was cut with a special tool called a "chitarra" (guitar), consisting of a wooden frame over which thin, steel wires were stretched. The pasta, which was not excessively thin (about the thickness between one wire and another) was placed on the wires and then cut by pressing on it with a special little rolling pin.
This type of pasta is typically eaten with lamb ragù. In certain areas of Abruzzo, the traditional condiment for Chitarrina Abruzzese is a tomato sauce enriched with veal meatballs measuring about one centimetre across, known as "pallottelle".
The Chitarra Abruzzese is also excellent with different types of meat gravy, with sauces made from tomatoes and aubergines, or fish.
Available in 250g packs.