Tasting notes

Authentic pasta, delivered to your door

‘I LOVE ITALIAN FOOD and I follow Italian football. I even swear in Italian,’ says Alessandro Savelli. When the Londoner launched his food company last year, then, it had to be ‘italianità ’– the real deal. Born and raised in Genova to an Italian father and English mother, Savelli is the founder of Pasta Evangelists, which posts fresh gnocchi, tagliatelle and ravioli through your letterbox, along with pestos and Parmesan to complete a meal that can be thrown together in about three minutes.

Pasta by post may seem unnecessary for something that can arguably be considered a convenience food (at least the quick-cook options found in the supermarkets). But neither they, nor bottled pasta sauces, are the real thing, says Savelli. ‘If Italian food is close to your heart there are some things you just know – such as not putting Parmesan with fish pasta, using butter sparingly and not using cream when something tastes better with olive oil.’ His recipes change every week, so might include squid-ink and crab tortelloni with shellfish bisque (‘because who’s going to make all this from scratch at home?’); a Sardin- ian speciality with sausage in red wine; Genova’s walnut sauce with tonnarelli (like a square spaghetti); and gluten-free options, too. And they’re good – a bright basil pesto had me devour a portion of tagliatelle in moments, while a rich duck lasagne was a joy to linger over. The company launched nationwide deliveries in December; within 24 hours of being made, the elements land neatly at your door. Not bad for an authentic quick fix. Subscriptions start from £13.90 for two portions a week, or order dish by dish; pastaevangelists.com

Top right Girasoli filled with beef slow-cooked in white wine, topped with sage butter and hazelnuts. Right Paccheri alla Norma with aubergine, tomatoes and ricotta