Pasta is a comforting, classic recipe that has found a place in the hearts of people across the world. Beyond colour, creed and race – people love a hearty bowl of Italian pasta. Spaghetti, maccheroni, penne – does it matter which as long as it’s cheesy and delicious? Well, turns out it does! The popularity of a specific variety of pasta is dependent on how easy it is to make, how affordable and how familiar it is to a certain region. Because of cultural influences and globalised markets, the number of pasta varieties we see in shops are often limited to the essentials – spaghetti, maccheroni, penne.
At Food Delite, we offer a plethora of original Italian varieties of pasta which means you can delve into the diverse heritage of pasta shapes, and explore the different sauces recommended for each type.
- Conchiglioni:
Imagine miniature seashells nestled in a rich and creamy sauce. These large, ridged wonders are perfect for stuffing! Named conchiglioni pasta by Felicetti, this pasta is perfect for ricotta and spinach sauce, meat ragu, or even vegetarian delights like roasted butternut squash with sage. Their generous size means they hold every delicious morsel, making each bite a delightful surprise.
Our range of Felicetti pasta is made of single variety organic durum wheat grain, using renewable sources of electricity. The attention to detail that is paid at Felicetti is remarkable and unmatched. The company was founded in 1908. The factory was first established in Predazzo, located in northern Italy and although it is now a well-established name in the world of pasta, it started out rather small. That being said, Felicetti has always worked with methods ahead of their time. Today, they are certainly a pioneer in pasta having developed their unique ways to produce low-impact, high-quality pasta.
- Gramigna:
Forget the straight and narrow, gramigna embraces its curls! This twisted, springy shape hails from EmilIa Romagna and is a dream for trapping sauces. Its intricate coils capture every drop of your culinary creation, whether it’s a light pesto or a creamy tomato sauce. Bonus points for its fun, almost playful appearance! Our gramigna pasta by Morelli is produced from Tuscan durum wheat and bronze drawn for the perfect texture.
- Busiate:
This unique name comes from ‘busa’, a Sicilian word for the stem of a local grass, which was used in preparing them and giving them their helical shape! Busiate features delicate holes running along its length, resembling miniature drinking straws. This design isn’t just for aesthetics; it allows sauce to seep deep within, ensuring maximum flavour in every bite. Pair it with pesto, light seafood sauces, or with anchovies and breadcrumbs to truly appreciate its subtle yet distinct character. Our recommendation is this 100% durum wheat busiate pasta from Morelli.
- Tortellini:
Tiny treasures filled with flavour, tortellini pasta are more than just a soup staple. These intricate little rings, from Emilia-Romagna, are traditionally stuffed with a mix of meat (pork loin, prosciutto, mortadella), Parmigiano Reggiano and nutmeg. Tortellini are commonly cooked in and served with capon broth. Each delicate bite bursts with flavour, making them perfect for soups.
- Strozzapreti:
Don’t let the name fool you (it translates to ‘priest stranglers’!), these hand-rolled twists are pure culinary delight. They originate from Emilia-Romagna and boast a thick, irregular shape that’s perfect for capturing chunky sauces. Think ragù Bolognese, pesto with vegetables, or even a creamy mushroom sauce. Each bite offers a satisfyingly rustic feel, perfect for those who appreciate a homemade touch. At Food Delite, we offer a special gluten free strozzapreti pasta made with chickpea flour.
This list of our top 5 is just the tip of the iceberg, as far as curious shapes go. You can also try paccheri, which is a large, tube-shaped pasta, or malloreddus, which is also known as gnocchetti sardi. Malloreddus pasta has a unique shape that is almost semi-cylindrical and ribbed, making it a magnet for the sauce.
You can explore all of these delicious varieties of pasta and more on the Food Delite website, the house of original Italian ingredients in Thailand. So, ditch the dinnertime rut and unleash your inner pasta adventurer! These unique shapes offer a chance to explore new textures, flavours, and culinary possibilities. They’re also a fun and exciting way to introduce the culture of pasta to your children, who will be fascinated by the variations in shape and form.
Discover authentic Italian ingredients, get creative, and discover a whole new world of pasta perfection. Buon appetito!
