Gigli or Campanelle Pasta (also known as riccioli)
I think gigli or campanelle pasta is among the prettiest looking pasta types! Each piece of this pasta looks like a cone with ruffled edges. In Italian, ‘campanelle’ means bell flowers or little bells. Here in Italy, this pasta is also known as ‘riccioli’ meaning curls. However, the more common name for this pasta in Italy is gigli, which is the Italian word for lilies.
Tuscany and lillies.
Although disputed by some, gigli pasta is said to originate from Tuscany. In fact, many Italian recipes for this pasta refer to it as ‘gigli toscani’. Certainly, there are a number of Tuscan pasta makers who claim gigli as a typical pasta from the region. This is because the lily is the emblem of Florence and has been part of the city’s coat of arms for around one thousand years!
There are also other connections to lilies in Tuscany which may have inspired the name of this pasta. The founder of Florence was Florinus da Cellino. In Latin, ‘florentia ’ means flowering. Plus, there is also a small Tuscan island off the coast of Grosseto province called Isola del Giglio (Lily Island).
In Italy, gigli. Abroad, campanelle.
Unfortunately, despite its popularity outside of Italy, gigli or campanelle pasta isn’t widely available here in Veneto. My local supermarkets don’t stock it, even though most of the big pasta producers like Barilla, De Cecco and La Molisana make it. They mostly market this pasta as campanelle and it seems that they produce it more for export. However, there are quite a number of small Italian artisan pasta makers that sell gigli online and I get it that way.
Recipes with gigli or campanelle pasta.
Tuscans serve gigli pasta in typical regional recipes such as with venison ragu. However, it’s also a very popular pasta partner for creamy sauces and vegetable based sauces. I’ve found a lot of recipes for gigli with different leaf vegetables and speck or pancetta. Campanelle is also a great pasta for baked pasta recipes.
The first recipe I have posted here for gigli pasta is a typical Tuscan recipe called ‘pasta tordellata’ a delicious combination of meat ragu, Swiss chard and ricotta. This recipe is a deconstructed version of a filled pasta recipe called tortelli Maremmani from the Maremma area of Tuscany. In ‘pasta tordellata’ the filling which is normally on the inside of the pasta is served over the pasta instead, along with a meat ragu. Definitely a recipe to try!
Pin for later
Do you use Facebook? Why not follow The Pasta Project Facebook page to get news of new posts about types of pasta and recipes? https://www.facebook.com/pastablogger
Kata Cone Brancaccio says
Hi everyone!
I just bought Gigli at Whole Foods Market in Charleston, South Carolina. It's an Italian brand and was on "last chance" price. I guess people didn't know what to do with it. I got a pound for $3.55. Can't wait to cook it.
Anne Rudge says
does anyone know where I can buy Gigli pasta online in the UK?
Helen Williams says
I just ordered some from Ocado, or you can buy it online from quite a few sources
Rex Bush says
I liked your explanation about gigli pasta.
James says
I can't seem to find an information....I'm wanting to replace Bowtie pasta with this in a cold pasta salad...mostly for the visual. Do you think it would be okay?
Jacqui says
Hi James, thanks for your comment. Italians use mostly short pasta in pasta salads and I think gigli pasta works really well in a pasta salad and will look very nice too!
KAT says
Good to hear. My husband just bought some gigli for a pasta salad I'll be making with an arugula/basil marcona almond pesto and various veggies.
Christine Griffith says
Did you know -
Della Terra Pasta in Oklahoma City makes campanelle! And many other shapes. And some are made with Oklahoma wheat. Interesting and delicious. You can order here:
https://dellaterrapasta.com/collections/frontpage/products/campanelle
Jacqui says
Good to know Christine. I haven't tried this make (obviously!) but I had a look at their site and the pasta looks and sounds good.
W Wilson says
Great post!
Do you have any information on techniques for making this type of pasta?
Thanks
Jacqui says
Thanks for your comment! I'm happy you like this post. I think the only way to make gigli pasta at home is if you have a pasta machine with an attachment for bronze dies. Then you can buy the die for the pasta you want. I don't have that but check out this site for gigli dies. https://www.capo12.com/en/prodotto/bronze-die-n-273-giglio/
Danielle Wolter says
what a beautiful pasta! I'll have ot look for it next time i go to the market - i'd love to try it!