July 2025 - Pasta Lovers
Did You Know Pasta Grows on Trees?
In 1957, the BBC famously aired a "Prank" segment about spaghetti growing on trees, highlighting pasta's popularity and how easily it can be associated with humorous misconceptions. We think if AI existed in 1957, we might have seen this tasty beauty.
Donne Del Grano
Gourmet Italian Squid Ink -- Black and White Bow Tie Pasta Noodles
This uniquely attractive Farfalline Magia Bianca (Black and White Zebra Bowties) pasta from Donne Del Grano, is made from premium durham wheat. The black is created by adding natural squid ink to the pasta in a special process, that allows the pasta to retain its shape and not come undone during cooking - not an easy feat... Cooks in 7 minutes to achieve optimum flavor and aroma. Donne Del Grano pasta is produced the same way it has been made for hundreds of years in Italy. The process used to extrude this pasta gives it a fascinating shape and rough structure that will hold sauce like no other pasta. The pasta retains its shape and makes for an extremely attractive pasta dish to which your favorite sauce may be added. This impressive cut is not just a great tasting artisan pasta, but also a decoration in itself. Excellent when served with ricotta cheese and meat, tomato, butter or cream sauces.
Morelli has been creating gourmet Italian pasta in Tuscany since 1860 and is a family-run company with the 5th generation currently preserving the traditions their ancestors put into place. They utilize an artisanal method of reincorporating wheat germ into semolina to create their pasta with a unique taste and the aroma of wheat. Their pasta also has a high level of Vitamin A and D due to their unusual ingredients.
After years of using wheat germ, Morelli has managed to create pasta with its extraordinary, unmistakable flavor. An intense wheat aroma is released during cooking and the water turns slightly green because of the presence of fresh wheat germ. …it is different …it tastes good even when served with just a trickle of oil. Morelli’s pasta is something else!
GOURMET ITALIAN TRUFFLE LINGUINE
Black truffles are the most sought after truffle, regardless of where they are found, and they fetch extremely high prices due to their subtle, earthy flavor that was once described as being like chocolate and earth.
A strong scent that propagates in the soil rises to the surface and traps our nostrils with an irresistible and seductive aroma. It’s the most expensive mushroom in the world, sought after by connoisseurs across countries. Truffles have been praised and enjoyed since the era of Ancient Greece, where it was thought they were created from the lightning of the god Zeus.
Versatile and Healthy
The truffle tagliolini pasta is flavored with real summer truffles and can be used in classic Italian dishes. It is especially good served al dente with just a touch of olive oil and garlic and paired with Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. The truffle pasta also holds up beautifully in more complex meals with vegetables, meats, or seafood added to it. Durum wheat semolina is a healthy choice for pasta as it is very high in protein and low in gluten. Morelli tagliolini cooks to a perfect al dente in 5 minutes.
Pirro’s
Old World Family Traditions Followed the Pirro Family to America
Family matriarch, Josephine Pirro grew up with four sisters and four brothers in the heart of Chicago’s west-side Italian community, the world-famous Taylor Street neighborhood. Like many close-knit Italian families, much of life in the Pirro household centered around food, meals, and warm family gatherings.
Generation to Generation
As a youngster, Terry Pirro often found himself by his mother Josephine’s side as she prepared her special sauces. One can easily imagine the entire house filled with the delicious smells of pasta sauces simmering slowly on the kitchen stove for hours. What began innocently enough soon became a serious interest for Terry as he became masterful in the culinary arts, particularly Italian cuisine.
Given his love of cooking and experimenting in the kitchen, it was only natural that the young man would eventually find his way to the restaurant business, as he did when he opened Pirro’s Restaurante in historic Woodstock, Illinois. In addition to serving the most delicious and popular Italian dishes, Terry’s restaurant soon became known for its remarkable pasta sauces, all based on recipes handed down from grandmother, to mother, to son and painstakingly refined to perfection.
Pirro’s Sauces Today...
Customer demand for take-home Pirro’s sauces continued to grow and Pirro’s Sauces prospered. Tragically, in the midst of his success Terry became gravely ill. This sad news prompted daughter Brianna to dedicate herself to the family business, ensuring that her dad’s talent, creativity, and hard work would never be forgotten. Putting the sauces into production was done with Brianna’s by Terry’s side. Together, father and daughter carefully maintained their shared dedication to quality and commitment to using only the finest natural ingredients, while meeting the highest standards in every respect.
Following the untimely passing of her father, Brianna now works to protect the legacy, integrity, and commitment to excellence her father exuded. Focused on the best ingredients, they only use wholesome foods you would find on your kitchen shelves. Plus, every sauce has to pass Grandma Pirro’s taste test! Being all natural products, the use of American-grown and locally-sourced ingredients remains a top priority for Brianna and her team.
Pesto Pomodoro Sauce
There’s nothing that can compare to the rich, hearty, flavorful taste of Pirro’s Pesto Pomodoro sauce. Deliciously combining the sweet simplicity of a thick tomato sauce with the flavorful saltiness of pesto, Pirro’s Pesto Pomodoro is an instant family favorite. The fresh basil, hearty pieces of Pomodoro tomatoes, and rich parmesan allow you to effortlessly pair Pirro’s sauce with your favorite pasta.
Ciao Pappy
A Family Affair
Francesca Pittaluga grew up in an Italian-American family and that meant good food and a lively dinner table were the heartbeat of her family. Her father (Pappy) came from Italy where meals were an important part of his culture and the anchor of daily connection. No matter how busy life got, her family made it a point to share meals together each day.
When it came to cooking, Pappy always made it look easy. He always said that a well tasting Italian meal only needs a few, fresh, quality ingredients to go a long way.
Pappy’s kitchen rules inspired their products to be made with local, fresh, and quality ingredients intended for both the efficient home chef and those who like to experiment in the kitchen.
In 2021, Francesca, and her husband Matthew, established Ciao Pappy with the vision to be an elevated staple in your pantry where they can play a small role in creating lifetime memories. The hope is for families to more easily share quality meals together with joy and convenience.
Creamy Calabrian Marinara Pasta Sauce
Elevate your meals with the bold and velvety taste of our Creamy Calabrian Marinara. Made with sun-ripened tomatoes, rich cream, and fiery Calabrian chili peppers, this sauce delivers the perfect balance of heat and smoothness. Whether you're tossing it with pasta or using it as a gourmet pizza base, every jar brings a taste of Southern Italy to your kitchen.
And… enjoy your artisan sample surprise, in the box