fregula

There is nothing like a new pasta discovery for a dedicated pasta lover. I saw the package below in one of my Italian delis; knew nothing about it; and knew it was discovery time. Bought it. Googled it.

The pasta is fregula sarda, a tiny round pasta that resembles large grain couscous. It is made with hard durum wheat, and, as the name implies. is native to Sardinia. The pasta is primarily used in soups, but we found a recipe on the "TasteFood" blog, for fregula with asparagus and lemon. We made it -- delicious and different. Worth a deviation!

For the recipe, go to: 

www.classicpasta.com/special_shapes_additional.htm 

and find "Other Shapes" and click on "fregula with asparagus and lemon".

Enjoy!