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.
Lasagna is one of the oldest forms of pasta recorded. It probably corresponds to the Latin "Lagana" (which in turn was derived from the Greek "laganon": large, flat sheet of pasta cut into strips) and it began to be known as "Lasagna" probably after the year 1000 AD. The first traces of the widespread use of the term "Lasagna" can be found in the works of the most renowned 12th century Italian poets. "Granel di pepe vince / per virtù la lasagna", (a peppercorn beats lasagna for virtue) states Jacopone da Todi. Cecco Angiolieri,on the other hand, warns his readers, "chi de l'altrui farina fa lasagne / il su' castello non ha ne muro ne fosso" (He who makes lasagna with another's flour / his castle will have no walls or moat).
It has long been one of the most well-known and popular types of pasta in Italian cooking, and the simplest and most commonly used recipe calls for a ragù, béchamel and parmesan, although mozzarella has also been introduced more recently.
Delicious "white" versions are also quite commonplace with sauces made from mushrooms and vegetables.
Available in 500g packs.