Giadzy by Giada De Laurentiis

Crushed Calabrian Chili Paste

Crushed Calabrian Chili Paste - Main image
$5.25 $10.5 In stock

Category: Pantry

With a mellow, fruity heat that lingers on the palate but won't overwhelm, there's just no substitute for this crushed Calabrian chile paste from Tutto Calabria. The quintessential Italian chile, they are beloved around the country for the lively heat they bring to any dish. Similar in Scoville level to cayenne but with a depth of flavor unlike any other, this paste of fresh chiles crushed and preserved in olive oil is a must-have for any spice lover’s pantry. It’s one of Giada’s essential Italian ingredients.

What makes Calabria so spicy? The sun-soaked region lies in the toe of Italy’s boot, near its southernmost end. Flanked by crystal-blue seas, Calabria gets more than 300 days of sweltering Mediterranean sunshine every year. That heat gets converted to serious spice in the growing chiles, which were introduced to the region by Spanish traders in the 16th century. They caught on quickly, and today, every Italian knows that Calabrian chiles are the best in the world.

Founded in 1970 by husband-and-wife pair Antonio Celli and Adele Sirianni, Tutto Calabria began by selling the vegetables from their garden at local fairs. With headquarters in the hillside town of Marcellinara, the Celli family and Tutto Calabria have been sharing the bounty of their home with the world for more than 50 years. With the motto piccanti per passione (“spicy for passion”), they are truly dedicated chile-lovers.

Customer Reviews (4.8 / 5 · 13 reviews)

Avery ★★★★★

The jar is smaller than I expected, but a little goes a long way—I’ve been spooning it into pasta sauces and even a marinade, and that fruity heat is perfect without ever getting harsh. It’s become my go-to for adding depth without scorching the dish.

Ella ★★★★★

The heat builds slowly and then lingers in that warm, fruity way — perfect for finishing a bowl of pasta without turning it into a fire hazard. A small spoonful stirred into tomato sauce gave it a depth that had me going back for seconds.

Harper ★★★★★

I was nervous it'd be scorching, but the heat builds gently and then fades, leaving that fruity sweetness behind. A spoonful stirred into pasta with olive oil totally transforms a plain weeknight dinner.