Orecchiette (little ears), also known as "strascicati", are a typical pasta shape from the Apulia culinary tradition. The shape is a round disc with a slight indent in the centre.
In the culinary tradition of Apulia of home-made pasta, orecchiette were made with white flour, durum wheat semolina and water. After the pasta dough had been cut into small pieces, it was "dragged" ("strascicati" in Italian) with the tip of a knife to create a sort of small shell, then pulled back with the tip of the thumb.
In traditional Apulia cooking, orecchiette are cooked in boiling water with broccoli or potatoes and served with a tomato sauce and sheep's cheese, or with garlic and Oil
This pasta is also known as "Recchie" and is served with vegetable ragù, or lamb and ricotta ragù.
Available in 500g pack.
Mezzi Ditali Rigati (ridged half thimbles) are a smaller variation of the classic Ditali Rigati and are part of the very short, straight cut pasta family from the Campania region.
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 Mezzi Ditali Rigati makes it very versatile for pasta dishes with tomato or in soups and vegetable broths.
Mezzi 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 pack.s