These large seashells with a ridged outside and a smooth cup are most often used to make stuffed shells. The classic preparation is to fill the pasta with a spinach and ricotta mixture and bake with tomato sauce. But for a twist on tradition, cook the Conchiglioni for four minutes and fill with a blend of Gorgonzola, ricotta and walnuts. Then lay the stuffed shells atop a layer of roasted red pepper sauce in a dish and bake until bubbling.
About the Producer: In the town of Pianella in Italy's Abruzzo region, artisan pasta maker Gianluigi Peduzzi of Rustichella d'Abruzzo maintains a proud tradition started by his grandfather. He starts by choosing the best semolina from select durum wheat and mixing it with pure mountain spring water. The dough is then shaped using the same hand-carved bronze dies that Gianluigi’s grandfather used a century ago, giving the pasta just the right texture to capture all kinds of sauce. Lastly, slow drying in temperature controlled chambers for at least 56 hours imparts flavor and texture unlike any ordinary mass-produced pasta.
