Spicy Calabrian Pesto from Giodà

With this fiery pesto, Giodà has captured the bold, punchy flavors of their hometown of Calabria. Hand-chopped sun-dried tomatoes, hot peppers, porcini mushrooms, anchovies, garlic and olive oil are combined to make this spicy, umami-rich sauce with a satisfying texture similar to chile crisp. 

How to use

There is virtually no way to go wrong with this versatile sauce. Toss with pasta, add a dollop to tomato sauces and cannellini beans, spoon over roasted fish, or slather it across grilled cheese and other sandwiches for a touch of satisfying heat. 

About the producer

Giodà is the brainchild of two sisters, Giovanna and Ida Conforti, who grew up in the small Calabrian town of Santo Stefano di Rogliano. After pursuing careers in marketing and architecture respectively, the sisters decided to return home to Calabria in 2019 with the goal of sharing with the world the food they grew up eating—jams, marmalades and preserves made with local produce and without preservatives. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic halted production, providing profound challenges for the nascent company. But Giovanna and Ida pressed on, tapping into Calabria’s rich culinary traditions and local agriculture, with each jar becoming a symbol of both personal and regional resilience.