Think Asian cultures are the only groups who enjoy fried rice? Think again. Sicilians introduced fried rice balls, or arancini, around the 10th Century and Italians have been gobbling this deep fried goodness ever since.
Traditional arancini are rice-filled balls stuffed with meat, tomato sauce, green peas and mozzarella. They are rolled in bread crumbs and deep fried to perfection. Hmmm … delizioso!
Other varieties of arancini include mozzarella-only rice balls, mushroom-filled rice balls and even chocolate-filled balls.
* Anyone know the downside to having a husband who cleans and organizes the house? He forgets where he puts your things. My camera battery charger has been MIA since the latest cleaning spree three weeks ago so I can’t offer you a step-by-step guide to making arancini. Luckily, Maryann of Finding la Dolce Vita has already done that.
Click here for Maryann’s arancini recipe. Feel free to click through her entire Recipe Box – you won’t be disappointed!
I had also planned to highlight the arancino as an “O Foods for Ovarian Cancer Awareness” food item, but that ship has sailed. Instead, I’d like to remind you to check on the Bleeding Espresso and Ms. Adventures in Italy websites for the recipe roundup on Friday, and visit The Leftover Queen for a list of participating blogs.
You know, I just love arancini when they have peas in them. I don’t know quite why, but I’m always disappointed when they don’t. YUM!
No, I get that. Remember the cheese only ones we had in Palermo? They were good, but there was something missing! Musta been the peas. 🙂
I love these, and their smaller Roman cousins, the supplì! They’re perfect on nights no one feels like cooking – just pick them up from the tavola calda and away we go!
We do that, too! In fact tonight might be a good night for them.
Well, the photos you did get look delicious, Cherrye! (thanks for the mention, kiddo)
Hugs!
Maryann xox
Thank you for the recipe! I took those pics prior to losing the battery charger and AT A RESTAURANT. 🙂 Guilty!
Oh how they remind me of my holidays in Sicily and Lake Como…I love them, not sure about the chocolate filled ones though!!! 🙂
I’m with you, Anne. I haven’t tried the chocolate ones either but they sound, well … interesting!
Love these!! I have a friend that makes them- perfectly!
Aren’t you lucky, Robin?
I am impressed that you made them step by step! I never do, I never even eat them. No reason why, it just doesn’t come up.
Oh no, Judy! I didn’t make them. The pics are actually from a restaurant I went to before P “lost” the charger. I want to make them and document them properly!
OMG my favorite things in the world!!!! Whenever I’m in Maida, and we head to the Due Mare, I always get one there. I still love my mom’s the best though 🙂
Next time you are in Calabria Maria I’ll have to let you try them at the pizzeria near us!
I love arancini… great post Cherrye! My mom makes them with mozzarella and prosciutto. mmmm can’t wait to have one now!
Thanks, Joe. Mozzarella and prosciutto sound GREAT! Yum!
mmmmm I love arancini! one of the greatest food contributions ever!
Right after the taco and the quesadilla, right Stacy??
Those look great! I have not made them with peas before, but I think it sounds perfect!
Try them, Jenn. They are delish.
It’s a meal in a ball! You gotta hand it to the Italians to come up with something so ingenious 😉
I know, right? Now I’ve been craving them, too.
Just made these for lunch today with friends. Good idea for leftover rice or risotto.
I saw them on your blog with the mozzarella. They look great!
I made these for the first time this past Christmas for my husband’s family. They turned out delicious! My mother has always made them every Christmas for our family. I look forward to them every year.
I am so glad they turned out well. I am not great at frying things … I have to work on that! Thanks for letting me know about this.
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