Thanks everyone. I've checked out some photos of cavatelli, and that must be
it. I did hear it originally from quite an old immigrant, though I'm not
sure what part she's from, and she really didn't even have an accent left
for most words.

This reminds me of the "rih-goat" word used frequently on The Sopranos,
which apparently is "ricotta." Never would have figured that one out
either.

BTW, I meant "both" and not "booth" in the subject line, but that's what you
get when you're up way too late.