Orecchiette is a distinctive type of pasta from the Southern Italian region of Puglia. This pasta has a distinctive shape, looking roughly like small ears, hence the name, as orecchiette means "little ears”. This particular shape also gives the pasta an interesting, variable texture, soft in the middle and somewhat chewier around the edges. Orecchiette are often served in Puglia in a simple tomato sauce, or together with small meatballs. They work particularly well with vegetables, or any type of sauce that's in small chunks.