The name fusilli comes from the Italian word for spindles which were once used by spinners; as a matter of fact, this unique pasta shape was made by twisting spaghetti around a knitting needle, which reminds of what spinners used to do as their daily activity. The PGI short hollow fusilli from Gragnano are produced by the artisan company “Pastificio dei Campi” in Gragnano in the region of Campania; Gragnano, which has been an ideal location for pasta making since the 16th century, obtained the protected geographical indication (PGI) certification in 2013.

The PGI product specifications state that only durum-wheat semolina shall be used for pasta production: “Pastificio dei Campi” uses its own wheat coming from its fields in Apulia, where the company implemented a large-scale soil revitalisation. Then the pasta is extruded through bronze dies; this artisan technique allows for a rough and porous pasta surface which best holds onto sauces. This company carries out a fully manual product processing and guarantees full traceability and transparency, as well as a lower impact on the environment and their territory, which they care about so deeply.

The short hollow fusilli are the main ingredients in a traditional recipe from the city of Gragnano, where they are paired with tomatoes and ricotta cheese.