About:
Ciciones pasta hails from the Campidano region in southern Sardinia, Italy. Although the exact date of origin is unknown, it’s well-established as a traditional dish in the area.
Characteristics:
- Shape: Ciciones are small, irregularly shaped pasta pieces similar to gnocchi or malloreddus. They are often described as “fat” or “chunky,” hence the connection to the Italian word “cicio” meaning “fat.”
- Texture: Due to their unique shape, ciciones have a satisfyingly chewy texture with good nooks and crannies to capture sauce.
- Flavor: The pasta itself has a neutral flavor, allowing the accompanying sauce to be the star.
Variations:
- The most common way to enjoy ciciones is with a tomato-based sauce, often featuring pork sausage and sometimes incorporating saffron, a prized ingredient in Sardinia.
- Other sauce variations can include simple butter and sage, pesto, or even seafood-based sauces.
- Ciciones can also be served as soup pasta or baked into casseroles.
Additional notes:
- Ciciones are typically made with semolina flour, which is a coarser grind of durum wheat flour. It contributes to the pasta’s slightly grainy texture and ability to hold its shape during cooking.
- While readily available in Sardinia, finding ciciones outside the region might require searching at online specialty stores or Italian groceries.
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