This “Delicious” New Pasta Will Transport You Straight to Italy (I’ve Been Eating It Nonstop with Just Butter)
Pasta is easily one of my top comfort foods. I can cook it fast, pair it with a jarred pasta sauce or some really good butter, and have a cozy meal in no time. It’s also not unusual to see me shaking some hot sauce onto my pasta — whatever kind it is — to add a little extra oomph.
So when I saw that Sfoglini, the brand behind the famous cascatelli pasta, had just come out with a Calabrian Chili Lumache, I couldn’t wait to try it. Spoiler: It’s quickly become a weekly staple in my home.
What’s So Great About Sfoglini Calabrian Chili Lumache?
The Calabrian Chili Lumache launched last month, and it has already become a pantry staple for me. In case you’re not familiar with lumache as a pasta shape, it’s basically macaroni shell’s cool older sister. It has a shell shape with ridges to help hold sauce, and it flares out on one end — a little like a snail shell, which isn’t surprising, given that lumache is actually the Italian word for “snails.” Sfoglini’s Calabrian Chili Lumache is thick with a chewy texture that I really like because it feels more substantial and even a little special.
The noodle itself actually has a somewhat spicy, almost floral taste to it, thanks to the Calabrian chili. It’s not overwhelmingly hot to me, but instead I find it offers a subtle back-of-the-throat burn that I can appreciate.
What’s the Best Way to Enjoy Sfoglini Calabrian Chili Lumache?
Because this pasta has so much flavor on its own, I prefer to eat it simply: with butter and a hearty pinch of flaky sea salt. The butter adds richness while the pasta warms the back of your throat with that spice, and the salt just rounds out the whole flavor. I’m reluctant to call it a perfect bite, but it is an intensely comforting one.
Buy: Sfoglini Calabrian Chili Lumache, $7.99 for 16 ounces at Sfoglini
What’s your favorite pasta to keep in your pantry? Tell us about it in the comments below.
This post originally appeared on The Kitchn. See it there: This “Delicious” New Pasta Will Transport You Straight to Italy (I’ve Been Eating It Nonstop with Just Butter)