Kritharaki

Not to be confused with the Italian word for barley (orzo), this Italian short cut pasta is similar in shape and size to a grain of rice. Like other traditional Italian pasta types, it is best when made with hard wheat, preferably durum wheat. The shape of orzo pasta is always similar, but the color and taste are occasionally altered with the addition of various vegetables.

Orzo is a highly versatile pasta variety used in numerous dishes – its shape lends it particularly well to soups, and it is an irreplaceable part of the famous minestrone. Orzo pasta is also commonly used as an ingredient in cold salads, as a vegetable stuffing, and in a variety of casserole dishes.

Naturally, it is prepared just like any other type of pasta, and can also be served with any number of flavorful Italian sauces. This versatile Italian pasta is also commonly eaten in Greece and other Mediterranean countries.