Rustichella d’Abruzzo Saffron Panettone

Rustichella d’Abruzzo’s Panettone allo Zafferano is a rich, buttery brioche-style cake infused with an unexpected twist—saffron. Studded with candied Sicilian orange peel and naturally leavened with Rustichella’s own starter, the dough is given three slow rises over nearly 20 hours, developing remarkable depth and complexity.

Its golden hue and heady saffron aroma set it apart from the classic panettone, while the bright citrus from the orange peel lends a lively contrast to the saffron’s warmth. Traditionally enjoyed after Christmas dinner with dessert wine or bubbly, it’s a striking centerpiece for any holiday table.

In 1924, Gaetano Sergiacomo started making rustic pasta using the whole wheat flour produced at his family’s stone mill in the small town of Penne in Abruzzo. In 1981, his daughter, Nicolina Peduzzi, decided to revive the pastificio, (pasta factory) naming the new product line Rustichella d’Abruzzo. Soon after, Nicolina’s adult children Gianluigi and Stefania joined the family business, and within a few years, the small pastificio had grown into one of the most extensive artisanal pasta lines in Italy. Today, Rustichella d’Abruzzo offers a diverse selection of pasta, pasta sauce, holiday goods and more.