Arancini

With great passion, we would like to present you the recipe for one of the most favorite Italian delicacies - arancini. This is a dish that fully reflects the love for Italian cuisine and the passion for experimenting in the kitchen.

Arancini is an Italian culinary wonder that came straight from Sicily. The name 'arancini' comes from the word 'arancia', meaning orange. Why orange? This is because of the characteristic, round shape of arancini, which resembles this juicy fruit ball. But actually, there's not a hint of fruit in them - they're little works of art made from rice.

Arancini are perfect as a snack at parties, but also as a main course. This is a dish that always attracts attention and provides an unforgettable taste experience. The perfect combination of taste and aesthetics.

History of arancini

It is difficult to determine the exact origin of arancini. There is no point in looking for any references in historical sources that would specify where this dish comes from. There are also several cities in Sicily that claim the origin of this dish. It is so difficult to determine its exact place of origin without offending one of these localities. So let's stick to specifying Sicily as their place of origin.

Some sources are based on the analysis of ingredients and the presence of saffron in almost every version of the recipe. They assume its origins are early medieval. The most probable version of the origin of these rice balls is associated with the period of Arab domination. Which lasted from the 9th to the 11th century. The Arabs commonly used rice and saffron. They also made rice balls with lamb meat.

One theory says that the history of arancini dates back to the 12th century. They were then supposed to be a symbol of wealth and refinement in Sicilian courts. Their ball-like form was not only aesthetic but also practical - they were easy to travel with.

The first written record mentioning arancini is Giuseppe Biundi's 1857 Sicilian-Italian dictionary. It described arancini as an 'orange-shaped sweet rice dish'. Today, arancini has become a popular delicacy in Sicily and beyond.

How to prepare arancini?

As I have already mentioned, the main ingredient is usually boiled rice. It is often mixed with tomato sauce, minced meat, peas, and mozzarella cheese. Additionally, spices such as basil and oregano add this amazing taste. All this is wrapped in a round ball, breaded in breadcrumbs and deep-fried.

One of the things that makes arancini unique is their variety. We can find many flavors of arancini - from traditional ones with meat and tomato sauce to vegetarian ones with vegetables or seafood. Each variation has its unique taste and character.

Preparing arancini requires patience, but the result is worth it. Cooked rice, stuffing with selected ingredients and gently forming balls - this is the first step. Then we bread them in breadcrumbs and fry them until golden brown. Ready-made arancini are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.