Homemade Orecchiette (Pasta)

As you know by now, we are in Italy. La bella Italia.

The Italians are very hospitable and are eager to show us their culture and of course to taste their gastronomy. That's why in the coming weeks mainly Italian dishes will appear on our Patreon :-)

On our first stop in Naturist Resort Grottamiranda I had the chance to make my own pasta, orecchiette to be exact.

Orechiette is a paste typical of Apulia, in the south of Italy. The name comes from their shape, which resembles a small ear. It is made from durum wheat and water. Every type of pasta comes with a sauce. Indeed, you can't just eat any sauce with any pasta.
The orecchiette is mainly eaten with a tomato sauce. Very easy. Add some grilled aubergines and courgettes and you have a typical Puglian recipe on offer!

What do you need?
For the pasta:
- Durum wheat
- Water

For the sauce:
- Fresh cherry tomatoes
- 1 clove of garlic
- salt

For the vegetables:
- 2,3 cloves of garlic
- 1 large zucchini
- 1 large eggplant
- Olive oil
- Pepper
- Salt
- Mint leaves

How do you make it?

The pasta:

Orecchiette is made from durum wheat and water. You make a small mountain with the wheat, you make a little whole with your hands and you add a little water to it.

The dough is mixed with your hands into a solid paste (just like you would make bread) then you roll the dough into a kind of sausage and cut small pieces, cubes.

To make the orecchiette you need a knife (without teeth) and your hands. It looks really easy, but trust me it isn't!

The sauce:
- Heat 4.5 tbsp of olive oil in a HOT pot!
- Peel 1 clove of garlic and add this to the olive oil
- You cut the tomatoes into pieces (4) and add them to the olive oil
- Let this stand on a hot fire for about 2.3 minutes and add a little bit of salt
- Then lower the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes

Vegetables:
- Wash the vegetables and cut into slices (not too thin)
- Heat the grill
- Put the vegetables on the grill until they are done

The dressing for the vegetables:
- Peel 2.3 cloves of garlic
- Add olive oil, pepper, salt and mint

You sprinkle this dressing on the grilled vegetables afterwards. I can tell you, the mint here is super super super delicious!

You cook the pasta al dente for 2.3 minutes. Add the sauce and cheese if desired. Serve the vegetables and you're done

Buon Appetito!

PS. Will you let me know if you made this? This would make my day :-)
PSS. Our video will be on Patreon on Friday about Grottamiranda, so you can see me in action as I make this dish

Tasty greetings
Lins xxx