Identity Preserved Organically Grown Wheat Fusilli Lunghi

With the goal of transparency in mind, this past December Community Grains launched their first Identity Preserved (IP) Wheat Pasta. This ground breaking program is based on the idea of maintaining a product's specific traits and characteristics from the point of production to its end use. Each bag is outfitted with a data sheet that includes detailed information about the breed and variety of wheat used, where the wheat was grown, how and where it was milled, as well as recipe and serving suggestions.

For their first IP pasta, Community Grains partnered with Front Porch Farms, a new biodynamic farm just outside of Healdsburg, California. In 2010, Peter Buckley and his wife, Mimi, founded Front Porch Farms in a little nook of the Russian River Valley called Diggers Bend. The 100-acre estate was originally planted as a vineyard, however Peter and Mimi wanted to create a farm with a balanced rotation of grains, legumes and pasture, so they cleared out all but 12 acres of grape vines to make way for their new crops. They currently grow a variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts and olives as well as a three varieties of wheat. The farm is also home to chickens, goats and the country's only breeding stock of Cinta Senese pigs, a rare Italian heritage breed.

Last year, Bob Klein, one of the founders of Community Grains, and his staff did a tasting of all three wheat varietals grown at Front Porch Farms to decide which would be transformed into the first IP pasta. They decided on Desert King, a variety of the Hard Amber Durum family, and developed by Dr. Jorge Dubcovsky of the University of California, Davis. As their first cut, they chose Fusilli Lunghi, which roughly translates into "long twists". These petite spirals have a delicate texture. The subtle nuttiness of the wheat works wonderfully in lighter preparations such as Fusilli Lunghi with Chicken and Caselvetrano Olives (recipe below). This pasta, however, can also stand up to heartier tomato sauces or even a classic Ragu Bolognese. Make sure not to overcook the Fusilli Lunghi, 6 to 8 minutes will yield perfectly al dente pasta.

The Desert King wheat used to make this pasta was harvested in July 2012. The wheat was milled into flour and made into pasta in October 2012. Look for more IP pasta from Community Grains in the coming months.

Limited Supplies - Order Fusilli Lunghi Now 

Tomato Sauce with Vegetablesfrom Masseria Mirogallo 
Since the 1800s, one of the largest farms in Lucana Valley of Basilicata, Italy has been owned by the Mirogallo family, who specializes in the cultivation and preservation of heirloom varieties of fruit and vegetables from which they hand-make very high quality pantry products. For this versatile sauce, sweet tomato puree is flavored with garlic and chopped vegetables such as zucchini, eggplant, peppers, and basil. Try the sauce over pasta shapes such as paccheri, fusilli and pasta al ceppo. Traditionally served topped with Pecorino cheese, you may also try toasted bread crumbs, chopped parsley or basil for a new twist. This sauce is also perfect to use when making lasagne, vegetable stews and baked casseroles.

Order Tomato Sauce with Vegetables