Fregola Sarda con Cozze e Vongole

Rough, grainy-textured fregola pasta is a little like couscous and is becoming a popular choice in restaurants. It consists of fine beads of durum-wheat pasta. Fregola is made by combining durum-wheat flour and water - sometimes with the addition of saffron. It is then rolled, and the little balls of pasta are lightly toasted, which gives it a wonderful, nutty flavour. In this dish it is served with mussels and clams in a rich tomato sauce.