Orecchiette with sweet pepper pesto, crispy speck, walnuts, and ricotta flakes

Orecchiette con pesto di peperoni dolci, speck croccante, noci e fiocchi di ricotta - Pugghia

A symphony of authentic Apulian aromas, colors, and flavors, expertly interpreted by Andrea from @bastyinthekitchen using Pugghia’s artisan products: our burnt wheat orecchiette and extra virgin olive oil. A dish that tells the story of our land with elegance and passion.

Ingredients

  • 250g of Pugghia burnt wheat orecchiette
  • 2 sweet peppers (yellow and red)
  • 60g of speck, cut into strips
  • 40g of coarsely chopped walnuts
  • 80g of fresh ricotta
  • 2 tablespoons of Pugghia extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-step preparation

1. Prepare the light pepper pesto: Grill or roast the peppers until soft, then peel them and blend with Pugghia extra virgin olive oil, a pinch of salt, pepper, and a clove of garlic. You will get a velvety and sweet cream, with all the aroma of the South.

2. Crisp up the speck: In a non-stick pan, sauté the speck strips until golden and crispy. Set them aside on absorbent paper.

3. Cook the orecchiette: Bring a generous amount of salted water to a boil and cook the Pugghia burnt wheat orecchiette until they reach the perfect al dente consistency, full of character.

4. Finish and serve: Drain the orecchiette, combine them with the pepper pesto, and mix carefully. Add the crispy speck, walnuts, and complete with small dollops of fresh ricotta. A drizzle of raw Pugghia oil will make everything harmonious and fragrant.

Tips and pairings

This dish is perfect with a fresh and aromatic Apulian white wine, such as a Fiano or a Verdeca. You can add a spicy touch with a little chili pepper or substitute the ricotta with goat cheese for a more intense note.

The history and soul of the dish

Burnt wheat orecchiette are a symbol of Apulian peasant resilience and ingenuity. They originated when toasted wheat, recovered after harvesting, became a dark and fragrant flour with a slightly smoky flavor. Today, thanks to Pugghia's craftsmanship and passion, this ingredient comes back to life in a gourmet key, respecting tradition and caring for the raw material.

The Pugghia experience

In every orecchietta and in every drop of our extra virgin olive oil there is our Puglia: authentic, generous, sunny. With Pugghia, Michele and Tommaso bring the essence of the Apulian land into everyone's homes, made of true flavors, sustainability, and love for tradition.

Discover Pugghia's authentic products

Every product tells a story. Every flavor is a journey into our land. Buy now and bring Puglia home.