WHAT IS CRESTE DI GALLO?

Gallo in Italian translates as “Rooster” or “Cock” (the bird, don’t be immature 😊 ). The crest shape of this short cut is named after this male chicken’s comb. One myth has it that the Medici family was saved from assassins when the family roosters screeched as the killers snuck through the barn. In celebration, this cut of pasta was created and is, ironically, often served with a chicken ragu. Thank you heroic birds, now get in my belly!

WHERE IS CRESTE DI GALLO MADE?

If the story above is true, then creste di gallo would originally be from Florence, Italy.  Today the fresh version of this is popular in the neighboring region of Marche.  However the dry version is made industrially all over the country.

MY CRESTE DI GALLO IS A DELICIOUS SIMPLETON?

The literal translation of creste di gallo is “coxcomb.”  This word dates back to the 1500s when it both referred to the red comb of a rooster, and as a slang term for an idiot.  Jester’s back then would play the role of a fool to entertain people, and their caps looked similar to the combs of a male chickens.  Today this meaning has fallen out of use (unless you’re reading King Lear).

WHAT SAUCES GO WELL WITH THIS PASTA?

This short cut is pretty flexible and works with most pasta sauces.  However in an unfair twist of fate, it is often served with chicken.  What that is the case when you almost never see the calamarata cut served with squid, I have no idea.  If you’d like to see one of our recipes using creste di gallo check out our zucchini and tomato sauce!