Acini di Pepe

Acini di Pepe are very small pasta, about the size of peppercorns (hence their name, which means just that in Italian, though they are actually smaller than that, about the size of a grain of couscous.)

They are made from semolina.

They’re meant to be cooked in and served in a light soup, such as a broth. They can also be used for pasta salads.

Italian Wedding Soup, a well-known soup, often uses Acini di Pepe.

An American salad, Frog’s Eye Salad, uses Acini di Pepe along with mandarin orange pieces, pineapple pieces, whipped dessert topping, and marshmallows.

Cooking Tips

Ideally, cook in a broth as they absorb flavour very well. If not, water is fine (maybe with a bay leaf or two, a splash of white wine or French vermouth?)

Bring liquid to a boil. When the liquid reaches a boil, add the Acini di Pepe, lower the heat and start timing.

For salads or tender to the bite: cook 6 minutes.

For al dente (tender to the bite) in soups: cook 6 minutes.

For soft in soups: cook 8 minutes.

For broth type soups, per person, allow 200 ml (7 oz) of broth. Use 30g (1 oz) of Acini di Pepe for a thin soup; 40g (1.5 oz) for a thicker one.

Substitutes

Orzo, rice, couscous.

Nutrition Facts Per 85g (½ cup) dry
		Amount
Calories		300
Fat		1 g
Cholesterol		0 mg
Carbohydrate		63 g
Fibre		3 g
Sugars		1 g
Protein		10 g

Equivalents

1 cup, dry = 170g (6 oz)

Language Notes

Pronounced ah-CHEE-nee dee PAY-pay .

“Acini” means “berries” (singular, acino, from the Latin word acinus meaning the same thing.) “Pepe” means “pepper.” So, “pepper berries.”

Sometimes also spelt “Acini de Pepe.”