Gricia
"Gricia is the oldest Roman pasta—carbonara without egg, or amatriciana without tomato. It's just guanciale, pecorino, black pepper, and pasta water. Some say it's the original shepherd's pasta before tomatoes or eggs were added. Despite being the foundation of Roman pasta, it's the least famous, overshadowed by its descendants."
Logistics
Moderate
Vibe
Porky, rustic
Duration
30-45 minutes
Best For
Purists
The Backstory
The name possibly comes from a Swiss town or from 'gricio,' a local baker. Purists consider it the purest expression of pork and cheese harmony.
Local Secret
"Order it at a trattoria to gauge their guanciale quality—there's nowhere to hide bad ingredients. Rigatoni is the classic pasta shape for gricia."