Fancy Pasta Source

I'm looking for a pasta from Sardinia called fregula (or fregola). Does anyone know where I can buy that locally. It's not cheap and I'd rather not add shipping costs. thanks!

You can try Fox & Obel at 401 E. Illinois. They have a lot of fancy stuff.

I assume you're looking for dried? I'll keep an eye out at Marketplace on Oakton next time I'm there, they have a lot of relatively unusual dried pasta.

Is it a form of toasted couscous? Googling images didn't give me a good sense of it, exactly. How do you use it?

Coincidentally (or not), "Secrets of a Restaurant Chef" on Food Network used this on Saturday in a type of tomato and butternut squash stew. The fregola was cooked separately and added at the end of the stewing process. No idea if this a typical usage or not. Anne Burrell suggested on the show that Israeli couscous could be a substitute - although it lacks the toasted/baked aspect.

Although I've seen it in other recipes, I did just see it again on Secrets of a Restaurant Chef and it reminded me that I'd like to try it. I'll probably just use Israeli Couscous until I find another source. As far as how you use it, I've only had it in soup but as mentioned, Anne Burrell used it to make more of a vegetarian stew. It should lend itself well to a lot of experimenting. thanks for all of the suggestions. I'll maybe make a few phone calls.

The Chopping Block stores sell fregola.

The Chopping Block Lincoln Square
4747 N. Lincoln Ave.
773-472-6700