The pros:Â Trader Joe's Organic Italian Artisan Pasta Gigli is one of three new pastas that are organic and artisan.
The cons:Â This is a premium priced pasta, but is still affordable. A few pasta pieces lost their cool shape.
The verdict: Â I'm always happy to try a new pasta. Especially in a fun shape. I previous tried the new orcchiette, capunti, and now this gigli. I had no idea what gigli referred to until I started searching it up. It means little bell. It does look more like a ruffled lilly waiting to bloom.
I've reviewed my fair share of pastas. But one two things stand out: most just taste like pasta unless you are referring to the flavored pasta and keep an eye on the cooking time. I'm happy to report that this tastes just like any other pasta. The premium you are paying goes towards the artisan shape. Otherwise, nothing stood out in terms of taste that made me think it being organic made any sort of difference.
If trying Trader Joe's pastas has taught me anything it's to keep an eye on cooking time. Some cooking times are on point. Others are way off. I like my pasta al dente. But I can tell you this pasta cooked quicker than most of the other pastas I've tried. Mine was done in about 5 minutes. Most other pasta take much longer. My pasta was soft and not al dente, so consider giving it a try in about 4 minutes.
Now, if you are finding you are questioning paying $2.69 for just over a pound of pasta consider what you can use this shape for. This shape does very, very well with thick sauces. I made a pesto go test it out. This shape is ideal with a thick sauce. So while I made mine with pesto, feel free to consider other thick sauces like a bolognese. I enjoyed it and it's not an everyday shape.
So while I won't make this a regular purchase, it does make for a pretty Sunday dinner type of pasta that will have everyone wondering what a cool shape. You'll have a few that won't keep their shape and you'll need to get a large pasta pot out to handle these cone shaped pastas, but otherwise it's a solid choice.
Here is the visual run down of what you get if you buy this product:
The bag of Trader Joe's Organic Italian Artisan Pasta Gigli:
The nutritional information, the ingredients, and how to prepare:
After being cooked you get:
Coated with a thick pesto you get:
Would I buy this again? Yes, I would buy Trader Joe's Organic Italian Artisan Pasta Gigli again.
Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.
Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!
Dagmar says
I find that like you most dried pastas taste the same. Also like you I love cool shapes of pasta like these. I have an awesome red wine bolognese sauce this pasta would be good for. To give dried pasta more flavor I often cook them in chicken or beef stock instead of water. I have also used Trader Joe's concentrated chicken broth packets and squeezed a couple of those into the water.
PS- I have a product review suggestion. I have been craving something lemony lately and suddenly remembered Trader Joe's lemon marionberry muffins in the bakery section. I recall them being very good and would love your opinion on them.
becomebetty says
Hey Dag! I was actually thinking about trying them with bolognese and that sauce would work really well with this shape here. I actually have not seen those marionberry muffins at all yet. Now, I have something new to look for. Thanks as always for your thoughts and sharing some great suggestions. I'll also keep an eye out for those muffins the next time I go to TJs.
PS- Just got done trying the Marsala (not masala) sauce. It's pretty good.
Dagmar says
Hopefully the Lemon Marionberry Muffins are not just a West Coast offering. They have been around here for quite some time.
nonnyjo says
Gigli means lilies (plural for giglio)
becomebetty says
Hey Nonnyjo! You are 100% correct. I translated for campanelle.
Mike Fluchere says
I cooked the Orecchiette in a large (8 qt) pot, boiling, salted water. Took well-in-excess of the stated 15 minutes. Had a hard bite in the center. Too thick for my taste. This is one of the first TJ products I don't care for. Will go back to the regular pasta; but will have to use a different shape. Orecchiette is my favorite shape :
becomebetty says
Hey Mike! I haven't purchased this since doing the review of this pasta. I love orecchiette, but I agree this one was just alright. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!
Pasta Lover says
How did you get it to not fall apart when cooking?
I've made it several times and always had the spiral-y edges fall off while cooking.
becomebetty says
I tested it periodically throughout the cooking process to check for doneness.