How did manicotti pasta get its name?

The name "manicotti" comes from the Italian word "manicotto," which means "sleeve" or "cuff."

This is because the pasta itself resembles a small sleeve or cuff. It's essentially a large tube of pasta, traditionally made from a thin sheet of dough that's rolled up around a cylindrical mold. This shape allows it to be filled with various sauces and ingredients, similar to how a sleeve would cover an arm.

The name "manicotti" perfectly captures the visual essence of this pasta, highlighting its unique tubular form.