Mezze Maniche Garofalo is a type of pasta produced by the renowned Italian pasta maker Garofalo, known for its high-quality, traditional pasta products. “Mezze Maniche” translates to “half sleeves,” a name that reflects the shape of this pasta, which is similar to shorter versions of rigatoni or penne.
Characteristics:
- Shape: Mezze Maniche are short, cylindrical tubes of pasta with ridged surfaces. The shape is similar to a short rigatoni but slightly wider and more robust. The ridges help the pasta hold onto sauces, making it ideal for a variety of dishes.
- Texture: Made from high-quality durum wheat semolina, Mezze Maniche Garofalo has a firm texture that retains a pleasant al dente bite when cooked properly. The pasta’s thickness and ridges give it a substantial mouthfeel, making it satisfying to eat.
- Flavour: As with most traditional Italian pasta, the flavour of Mezze Maniche Garofalo is subtly wheaty and slightly nutty, allowing it to complement a wide range of sauces without overpowering them.
- Quality: Garofalo is known for its commitment to quality and traditional methods of pasta production. This includes the use of bronze dies to shape the pasta, which gives it a slightly rough surface that is excellent for holding onto sauces. The pasta is also slowly dried at low temperatures to preserve its flavour and texture.
Culinary Uses:
- Sauces: Mezze Maniche is versatile and works well with a variety of sauces. Its ridged surface is perfect for holding thicker sauces like ragù, meat sauces, or vegetable-based sauces. It also pairs well with creamy sauces or simple tomato-based sauces.
- Baked Dishes: This pasta shape is ideal for baked pasta dishes (pasta al forno) where the robust shape can hold up well under high heat. It pairs beautifully with cheeses like mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmesan, as well as with bechamel or tomato sauce.
- Pasta Salads: Mezze Maniche can be used in cold pasta salads, where its shape and texture add substance to the dish. It works well with a variety of ingredients like roasted vegetables, olives, feta, and vinaigrettes.
