Summer dish. Shrimp and Pacchetella!

There are few cherry tomatoes that love fish and pamper it in the pan. The Piennolo del Vesuvio DOP cherry tomato is one of them. Rich in pulp, with few seeds, a firm skin, and a sweetness mixed with almondy notes, it’s perhaps one of the most incredible products from the Campania region. The undisputed king of cherry tomatoes, loved by both great chefs and humble housewives of the Vesuvius countryside.

Pacchetella is the jarred version of the Piennolo tomato. An ancient technique had children coming home from school, sitting on their mother’s knees, and pushing crushed cherry tomatoes through the opening of a jar with a gentle tap from the palm—a “pacchetella!” It was a way to enjoy the warmth of the dark volcanic soil throughout the year. Pacchetella is a delight that pairs perfectly with seafood dishes, and fish is wonderfully complemented by this unique tomato, adding creaminess and marine saltiness like few others.

At S&M, we recommend a simple yet delicious dish.
Shrimp and Pacchetella with Gragnano linguine and fresh basil leaves.
Just take a pan, add a drizzle of good fruity olive oil, lay in a julienne of Tropea red onion, let it soften, and then add the shrimp near the end of the linguine’s cooking time, to gently sear and turn golden. Next, add the Pacchetella and toss in the pan until evenly warmed. The tomatoes should remain whole and only heated. They release a creamy sauce that will be irresistible for “scarpetta.” Once the onion has softened, the shrimp have browned, and the tomatoes have warmed, pour in the pasta and toss everything well together. Serve with a fresh basil leaf on top and enjoy all the flavor of the sea and the most authentic Campanian tradition.

If you wish, pair it with a fresh, mineral, saline, fruity wine. A white wine from the Amalfi Coast, made from ancient native grapes like Pepella, Biancazita, and Biancolella, will perfectly enhance your summer meals… perhaps under a lovely bougainvillea, with a view of the sea and sky. Truly Italian!