Ditalini [ditaˈliːni] (Italian: "small thimbles", also referred to as tubettini)[1] is a type of pasta that is shaped like small tubes.[2] The literal translation from the Italian language to English is "small thimbles". It has been described as "thimble-sized"[2] and as "very short macaroni".[1] In some areas it may also be called "salad macaroni." During the industrial age in Apulia, Italy, increased development of ditali and other short-cut pastas occurred.[3] In contemporary times, it is a mass-produced pasta.