Ziti is a type of pasta that is extruded into long, narrow tubes originating from the Italian region of Sicily. It is typically made from durum wheat flour and water. For serving, ziti tubes can be left whole or cut into pieces about 2 inches long, known as "cut ziti." Unlike penne, the cuts are made straight across rather than diagonally. There are variations such as zitoni, a thicker version of ziti, and zitoni rigati, which has ridges on its surface. Ziti is traditionally associated with celebrations like weddings, especially in southern Italy, where the name "ziti" translates to "brides" or "grooms." It is commonly served with sauces such as Neapolitan ragù or Genovese sauce. In Italian-American cuisine, baked ziti is a popular casserole dish made by combining ziti pasta with tomato sauce, meat, béchamel, and cheese, then baking it until golden and bubbly. In summary:
- Ziti is tube-shaped pasta from Sicily.
- Typically cut into 2-inch pieces for cooking.
- Served with various sauces, including ragù.
- Used in baked pasta dishes, notably baked ziti, a dish with tomato sauce, meat, and cheese.
- The name is linked to Italian wedding traditions.
This pasta's distinct shape and cultural significance, especially at weddings, make it a staple in Italian and Italian-American cooking. Would you like a simple recipe or more information on baked ziti dishes?
