Durum Wheat Pasta – Penne Ructiche

Primo grano meaning “first grain” in Italian, was the idea of pastamaker Gianluigi Peduzzi, who wanted to bring back the flavors of authentic pasta made with 100% Abruzzo-grown wheat like those that his grandfather, Gaetano Sergiacomo, made at his mill in the town of Penne at the turn of the last century.

Through a research study sponsored by Rustichella d’Abruzzo, the Istituto dei Cereali di Foggia identified local heritage wheat varieties including San Carolo, Varano, and Mongibello, which proved ideal for pasta making. Every year, Rustichella d’Abruzzo and a small group of farmers from the surrounding hills of Pianella do a special planting of these selected varieties. After the June harvest, the wheat is trucked immediately to a state-of-the-art mill in Puglia to be ground into semolina. The soft and fragrant semolina is used to make some of the traditional shapes made by Gaetano Sergiacomo, such as Sagne a Pezzi and Penne Rustiche.

Wrapped in a bright green paper bag with white sprigs of wheat to celebrate these 100% Abruzzo grains, PrimoGrano is pasta made for the true pasta lover. Fragrant as freshly baked bread with a supple and soft texture, this pasta is best enjoyed with just extra virgin olive oil or a light sauce to let the unique flavors shine through.

Cooking Time: 7-9 minutes.