Antiche Maccheroncelli di Gragnano

TASTING NOTES FROM THE CURATOR

Described as a hollow pencil, maccheroncelli is a short pasta that’s slightly thinner than a pencil with a hollowed out center.

The Maccheroncelli pasta specifically produced by Antiche Tradizioni di Gragnano is a certified Pasta di Gragnano product. A quality label recognized across Europe, products labelled Pasta di Gragnano promises a quality taste, a firm, toothy texture and their signature roughness that holds pasta sauces infinitely better than any other dried pastas in the world.

PREPARATION AND PAIRINGS

Because of the ridges on the surface of the maccheroncelli pasta, heavy sauces cling well to the shape and texture of this pasta. A versatile pasta, this is great for oven-baked casseroles or even chunky tomato based recipes such as bolognese.

Go simple with a Maccheroncelli al Limone or enjoy the contrasting textures and taste of a contemporary, Maccheroncelli Pasta with Burrata and Fried Breadcrumbs. If you have any leftover Makati Shangri-La Sourdough or Baguette, bring out the food processor and make some homemade breadcrumbs, deep fry until golden brown. Sauté some olive oil, kale, chili flakes with the cooked pasta. Serve with fresh burratina cheese.

The Birthplace of Dried Pasta

Just south of Naples lies a hilltop town known for producing the best dried pasta in the world. Lovingly referred by the locals as Oro di Gragnano–the gold of Gragnano–this little town is celebrated for its air-dried, bronze-extruded pasta.

Recognized by the European Union as a PGI product (“Protected Geographical Indication”), Pasta di Gragnano ensures a strict standard of quality. Made with only high quality durum wheat, fresh spring water sourced from the nearby Mount Lattari and extruded through a bronze dye, pastas made in Gragnano produce an amazingly al-dente bite and a signature roughness that clings beautifully to any pasta sauces. Today, only 16 pasta producers are recognized for true Pasta di Gragnano, one of which is Antiche Tradizioni di Gragnano.

Store in a cool dry place.