Ditalini (Italian:[ditaˈliːni]; English: "small thimbles"), also referred to as tubettini,[1] is a type of pasta that is shaped like small tubes.[2] It has been described as "thimble-sized"[2] and as "very short macaroni".[1] In some areas it is also called "salad macaroni". During the industrial age in Apulia, Italy, increased development of ditali and other short-cut kinds of pasta occurred.[3] In contemporary times, it is a mass-produced pasta. It is used in several dishes and is commonly used throughout Sicily.
Ditalini may be used in several pasta dishes, such as pasta e fagioli[4] (pasta and beans). It is used in traditional Sicilian dishes throughout Sicily.[5] Some Sicilian dishes with ditalini include pasta with ricotta cheese and pasta chi vrocculi arriminati, which is a pasta and broccoli dish.[5] It has been described as used often in soups,[6] and as an ideal pasta for use in soups due to their small size being able to "fit well on a spoon".[7] It may also be used in pasta salads.[8]
Beef and barley soup with tomatoes and ditalini
Pasta e fagioli prepared with ditalini
