I cannot tell you all how much I love Arancini.
Literally, I am pretty certain that if there was only one food I was allowed to eat for the rest of my life, it would be these. Yep, even over chocolate. Shocking, I know.
I don’t know what it is about these delicious fried risotto balls that I love so much, anything fried is normally a winner in my book, and if they are on a menu when we go to eat out, it’s a no brainer and I will choose to have them.
Making them at home is a labour of love I have to admit, there are lots of component parts to them which can take a while to make, such as the risotto and the meat ragu, but I promise you all they are worth it! What’s even better is if you have some leftover risotto or bolognese from dinner the night before, these little babies are way less stressful to make because you already have half the prep done! No food waste either!
So, what are Arancini and where do they come from?
Arancini are the ancient street food of Sicily. You and me grab a sandwich, in Sicily they grab an Arancini. Lucky guys eh?!
I was lucky enough to visit this magical little island, with it’s ominous and temperamental volcano, 6 years ago with my family and sample some authentic Sicilian Arancini. They didn’t let me down!
The origin of this typical Sicilian food isn’t actually well-known. People from Catania argue the origin belongs to them (they think arancini were created to help poor people through history to eat something healthy during emigrations) whilst those from Palermo state that the origin is in fact very ancient. They claim they were created by the Arabs and they called it “arancina” (translation; little orange) because its shape and colour once fried is similar to that of an orange. I’m inclined to agree with the folks from Palermo. Please don’t send a horse head my way for saying that…
Arancini are either round in shape (Palermo) or Conical (Catania) but because I am a novice, I can only make round ones!
They are essentially balls of cooked risotto, filled with whatever takes your fancy (normally meat ragu or ham and cheese) and then coated in breadcrumbs and fried. An entire meal in one little ball.
I hope you have a go at making these at home. I know it might look/sound daunting to start with but honestly, if I can make them, anyone can! Buon Appetito!
GET IT IN MY BELLY! I have to say if I see Arancini on any menu then it’s a done deal – these look quite a fiddly meal but as you say, a real special thing to create. (And no one can see if you eat twenty)
Thanks for hosting #bigpinklink
These look amazing!!! #BigPinkLink
Siobhan recently posted…Why summer can do one
Been to Sicily yet never had this..
Oh my! #bigpinklink
They are so yummy hun! Love Siciliy.x
Aw, thanks Siobhan! They were pretty scrummy.x
Haha! Me too. Anything fried 😉 x
These look amazing! I’ve just eaten but they’re still making me so hungry! Yummy, I’ll definitely try it!
#bigpinklink
Oh these look so yum!! Do you reckon they’d work with gluten free breadcrumbs?? #bigpinklink
Mrs Lighty recently posted…Essential Summer Baby Kit
I saw these at a restaurant in Little Italy, NYC. Never tasted it because I’m a veggie. Looks like quite a lot of work! I’m impressed! #BigPinkLink
I’ve never tried arancini but now I really need to (although I’d have to adapt it to a veggie mince ragu), they look and sound amazing x
#Bigpinklink
I’ve genuinely never heard of these but I really want to try them now!! #bigpinklink
Wow never tried these but they look amazing! Been searching for things to tempt the kids who have gone off all their usual faves #bigpinklink
Musings of a tired mummy…zzz… recently posted…Harry Potter is 20 ??? !!!
These look so delicious – I could eat about 25 of them now and it’s only 11am. I’m a coeliac but I suppose you could just use gluten free breadcrumbs. Yummy #bigpinklink
Susie/So Happy In Town recently posted…S.H.I.T. Made It To The BiBs2017 Finals!
Sorry to sound like a cretin, but I’ve never heard or or tasted an arancini. It looks absolutely amazing though, anything fried and savoury gets my vote! Will have to try this out. #BigPinkLink x
Cheryl @ Tea or Wine recently posted…Interview With My Mum The Author
These look sooooo good Gem, think even my kids would eat them! I’m also thinking of all the veg I could hide in there and they’d never know. You always make me hungry, now I want this…and cake!!! #bigpinklink
five little doves recently posted…Joie Stages Isofix -from birth to 7 years
I have never heard of these but I want to try! I’m not that great at cooking but I might ask hubby you give this recipe a go xx #bigpinklink
I’m literally drooling! I’ve never heard of or seen this before, but you have me totally sold!! I reckon the kids would love them too! #bigpinklink
Ok so you know I love you right? And you know I’m neverendingly grateful for all the blog love you bring my way right? And you’re obviously one of the bloggers at the top of my ‘must meet’ list right? Okay, so here’s the thing…I erm…[whispers] don’t erm *cough* like Arancini (sssshhhhhh). We have them in Malta and to be fair I just don’t like Maltese food full stop. It’s not you. It’s me. I’m sorry. #DontHateMeButIHaveToCommentCosYoureTheHost I think I’m in for a sleepless night anticipating your comment lol #bigpinklink
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