ISO Ditali

[Ohioan]

Does anyone know of a mail-order or online source where I can get ditali? For non-pasta freaks (or should I say pasta non-freaks?), that's a small, tubular pasta, about the diameter of ziti or penne but about 1/2" long. All I can find are ditalini, the baby version of ditali. And I know we used to use ditali in pasta e fagioli when I was young. Ditalini are too small to catch the beans inside. (Pasta fazool fans know what I'm talking about.)

Please help, someone! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/confused.gif Where can I find ditali? -- aside, that is, from flying across the country to that marvelous little specialty store in your neighborhood? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Desperately, Phoebe

[Natasha]

Hi Phoebe,
Try http://www.pastabycosta.com , in L.A. (5 lbs. is the smallest box they offer, though). You could also try this: http://www.salami.com (http://www.salami.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/pasta.html?e+newstore) . The catalog on this site (go to Print the Catalog) has Guido brand Ditali for sale.
Hope this helps and that you have a wonderful day.


[This message has been edited by Natasha (edited 08-07-2000).]

[Vanessa]

Hi Ohioan! When I cannot find a product I email the company directly (look for email or phone # ) in boxes. I have had good results when talking to companiesand explaning I cannot get their products. You can try barilla, sangiorgio. There is a web site The Flyingnoodle.com which you might wish to try. Another source would be an Italian market, depending where you live.
In Baltimore we have found diff stores for Italian, Chinesse etc. Look in your yellow pages for stores near you. As a last resort try in your Italian restaurant asking where they purchase their pasta.Then you can try your health store or talk to your specialty store's manager to see if they can bring the product. good luck!

[Ohioan]

Thanks, Natasha! I've just placed an order at www.salami.com (http://www.salami.com) and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that what I get will really be ditali. I once ordered another brand of "ditali" sight unseen, but when it arrived, it turned out to be no bigger than ditalini. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif If this turns out the same way, I'll contact the other source you gave me. Their pictured ditali really are the right size -- and I suppose I can find a way to eat five pounds of it. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/tongue.gif

Cheers, Phoebe

[This message has been edited by Ohioan (edited 08-07-2000).]

[Ohioan]

Oops, thanks to you too, Vanessa. (Your post came in while I was replying to Natasha's.) Alas, even the Italian specialty stores that I've been to here have only the ditalini. But contacting some of the major pasta companies directly is a good idea. If the "ditali" I've ordered turn out to be ditalini again, I'll try San Giorgio and De Cecco to start with.

Thanks again, Phoebe

[Shelly]

Phoebe, if you strike out with the others, you might try the 3E market. The website is www.3emarket.com. (http://www.3emarket.com.) They have lots of pastas, oils, vinegar, Italian products, Greek products, etc. I have never ordered pasta, but have been happy with what I do order from them. Great recipes on the site too!
Good luck! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Ohioan]

Thanks, Shelly. I've used 3Epsilon myself on occasion, and although (sigh) they don't have ditali, they do have lots of other good stuff. Hmm, come to think of it, this thread seems to be turning into a "where to get great Italian and other Mediterranean ingredients." Who's next? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Phoebe

[Beth]

It's been fun reading this thread. I seem to be a pasta collector, finding all those sizes and shapes irresistable. I find having too many different pastas more of a problem than not finding a certain type. Oh well, it's still fun. Bon Appetit!

[Ohioan]

Arghhhhh. My order from salami.com came today, and sure enough, although the package of pasta is labeled "ditali," it's ditalini again! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/mad.gif Also, I checked with Pasta by Costa, even ready to get the 5-lb. pack if it was really ditali, but since they're wholesalers, the minimum order they'll take is for 100 pounds. Now, I can eat a lot of pasta, but not that much. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/rolleyes.gif

Does anyone have any more suggestions? I know there must be some ditali out there somewhere, just waiting for me, calling my name....

Phoebe

[Vanessa]

Have you tried talking to your supermarket manager? Try a small gourmet store, or call the companies. Sorry the order was not what you wanted. That can be frustrating! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif