Ziti is a type of extruded pasta that originates from the Italian region of Sicily. It consists of long, narrow tubes made from durum wheat flour and water. Traditionally, ziti tubes are broken or cut into smaller pieces, about 5 centimeters long, before cooking. Unlike penne pasta, which is cut diagonally and often ridged, ziti is cut straight across and usually has a smooth surface. Variations include thicker ziti called zitoni and zitoni rigati which has ridges. Ziti is commonly used in baked pasta dishes, known as baked ziti (ziti al forno). This dish typically combines the pasta with tomato sauce and a mixture of cheeses such as mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmesan, then baked until bubbly and golden. Ziti is traditionally associated with weddings in southern Italy, symbolized by its name which means "brides" or "grooms." It is popular in various Italian regions and is a staple in Italian-American cuisine. Also, in popular culture, "a box of ziti" is a slang term for $1,000, popularized by the TV series The Sopranos.
