Orecchiette Pasta

Pasta that has a shape resembling an ear, hence the name, meaning "little ear" in Italian. The pasta is about 3/4 of an inch wide and dome shaped, with the middle being thinner than the outer edges. The difference in thickness gives it a texture that varies from soft in the middle to chewy on the outer edges. It is a pasta that holds sauces well and is a versatile pasta used in many Italian recipes for salads, main dishes and side dishes.