Organic Senatore Cappelli Orecchiette Pasta by Rustichella d'Abruzzo

Classic Pasta Cut of Puglia, Made with 100% Italian-Grown Organic Heirloom Wheat

Senatore Cappelli—an heirloom durum wheat varietal, selected in 1915 by agronomist Nazareno Strampelli—is known for its bright amber hue, subtle sweet, malty flavor and pleasing supple texture (think freshly baked bread).

Harvested in the fall, this autumnal variety is well-suited for organic farming due to its considerable height, which can reach about 1.5 meters (4 feet)!

Fun fact: This authentic Italian grain was dedicated to Marchese Raffaele Cappelli from Abruzzo, Senator of the Italian Kingdom and promoter of the 20th century Agrarian Reform.

How to use

Senatore Cappelli Orecchiette (meaning "little ears" in Italian)—made with 100% Italian-grown organic wheat and pure spring water—is the most famous pasta cut from Puglia, done by pressing the dough with the thumb to create a cup-shaped pasta perfetto for catching sauce. 

Use this heirloom wheat pasta in traditional Orecchiette alla Pugliese (pasta with broccoli rabe, sausage and garlic). Or use with any hearty sauce like classic bolognese or a Tuscan ragù flavored with chicken livers and rosemary. 

Hungry for more heirloom wheat pasta cuts from Rustichella d'Abruzzo? Try their Organic Saragolla Rigatoncini, Organic Saragolla Spaghetti, Organic Senatore Cappelli Linguine and Organic Senatore Cappelli Penne Rigate.

About Rustichella d'Abruzzo

In 1924, Gaetano Sergiacomo started making rustic pasta using the whole wheat flour produced at his family’s stone mill in the small town of Penne in Abruzzo. In 1981, his daughter, Nicolina Peduzzi, decided to revive the pastificio, (pasta factory) naming the new product line Rustichella d’Abruzzo. Soon after, Nicolina’s adult children Gianluigi and Stefania joined the family business, and within a few years, the small pastificio had grown into one of the most extensive artisanal pasta lines in Italy. Today, Rustichella d’Abruzzo offers a diverse selection of pasta, pasta sauce, holiday goods and more.