Ziti lardiati

Ziti lardiati (or ziti lardellati) is a traditional Neapolitan pasta dish whose name literally means "larded ziti", a reference to its rich, pork-infused sauce. Deeply rooted in Naples' cucina povera, it transforms a few humble ingredients into a dish that is hearty, flavorful, and deeply satisfying—a perfect example of Southern Italian ingenuity in the kitchen.

The main ingredient is ziti, a long, tube-shaped pasta often broken by hand before cooking. The sauce starts with a base of lardo (hence the "lardiati"), which is slowly rendered with onions, garlic, and sometimes a touch of chili pepper until deeply aromatic.

Then, tomatoes are added—usually peeled or pureed—and the mixture is simmered until it becomes rich and glossy. Some versions include a bit of grated Pecorino or Parmigiano to finish. Ziti lardiati is rustic and indulgent, sweet from the onions, savory from the pork fat, and just slightly spicy, if using hot peppers.

Originally a dish for using up pantry scraps, it has evolved into a beloved comfort food—intensely flavorful without being fussy, and often reserved for Sunday lunches or special family meals in Naples and Campania.