Finding a good gluten free pasta can be tricky, but Tom Ahern of Byron Gourmet Pasta is setting out to change that.
The Pottsville-based pasta producer has just launched what he says is Australia’s first vegan, gluten free, nut free and dairy free spaghetti made from the newest superfood on the block – the tigernut.
Tigernuts are actually a small root vegetable related to potatoes and sweet potatoes. Packed with fibre, vitamins and minerals, Tom says they make a pasta with a nice bite and a great flavour: “It’s got a really lovely texture to it and a sweet earthy nuttiness, which is really delicious,” he said.
The tigernut pasta is the latest addition to Tom’s range of gourmet hand-made fresh pastas, sold weekly at the Mullumbimby Farmers Market.
Tom makes pastas to suit all dietary requirements including vegan and organic parpadelle, fettucine, spaghetti, and lasagne sheets; organic spelt spaghetti and lasagna sheets; and gluten free pumpkin gnocchi.
All of his wheat–based pastas are made from top quality stoneground, organic, unbleached flour sourced from a small batch grainery in South Australia.
“It’s a much better quality and I find people have less reactions to it. So people who are gluten intolerant often say they can eat my ravioli and even the spaghetti,” Tom said.
Ravioli comes in a range of delicious locally sourced flavours including pumpkin sage and garlic; ricotta, lemon chilli dill and parsley; and rocket macadamia and basil pesto.
Tom also makes lasagna to order, including a local duck and Davidson Plum with creamy spinach, 48-hour slow cooked Hayters Hill beef ragu and a vegetarian lasagna with Nimbin Valley Pecan Pesto.
Almost everything is sourced locally, including vegetables from Tom’s family farm at Myocum.
In the kitchen, Tom’s combines his top quality ingredients with a generous helping of good vibes: “It’s all made in a kitchen with a lot of fun, so I reckon that almost comes through in the pasta. We have a pretty good time – good tunes, a lot of laughter, I think that helps.”
Find Byron Gourmet Pasta at the Mullumbimby Farmers Market every Friday.
