Arancina is a Sicilian cuisine specialty and has been included into the traditional agri-food products list of Italy . In layman terms, Arancina is nothing but fried-rice balls having different types of seasoning inside.
Sounds Yummy, Right? Let’s Explore More….
The name is derived from the word ‘Arancia’ which translates to small oranges. This name is obviously due to their appearance. The fried breadcrumb in the outer layer gives them a golden orange color, and the rounded shape as well as their size resembles an orange.
Today we can find a variety of Arancina recipes.The traditional Arancina is usually made of boiled rice flavored with saffron and stuffed either with caciocavallo, a typical seasoned cheese and minced meat with tomato, onion, celery, carrots, red wine and peas or with butter, mozzarella cheese and ham. Arancine are dipped in a pastella,wich is a batter of flour and water. This provides a cotaing to the rice before the breadcrumbs and makes the shell crispy as well as keeps the filling inside it soft.
Arancino or Arancina - The Name Dilemma ?
Sicilians are known for their heritage food tradition. Sicilians are very particular about their food - be it about their essential ingredients and their proper shape, depending on their region and they will even dispute on their gender, which determines how the name is pronounced and spelt.
So, Are Arancina Maculine or Feminine?
In Palermo region, these simple rice balls of saffron-flavoured rice moulded around tasty morsels of meat, peas and tomato sauce are considered to be feminine, so they are called arancina (singular) and arancine (plural). But in Catania region, they are considered to be masculine, and hence are called arancino(singular), and a pair or more are arancini (plural).
Prepare Your Own Arancina ‘Rice Balls’ at Home
Thinking of a perfect surprise recipe for coming weekend? Why not try this Italian cuisine.
In order make some perfect Sicilian arancini you will need, the perfect type of rice. You can use originario alone or mixed with some roma rice. You can also use risotto rice.The starch released, that will allow you to have a compact rice layer.
Cook the rice with some saffron and let it cool down.
In the meantime, make your stuffing you want to add to you arancina. The stuffing can be vegetable or meat based.
Make the first half of your rice ball, stuff it, and close it.
Next, you can immediately add the breadcrumb
Put it in oil at a very high temperature. After about 10 seconds you can reduce the heat a bit so that the cheese will melt.
If you wish it to be extra-crispy, let it stay for 2 minutes in the oven .
Hurray!! Home-made Sicilian Arancine are ready to be served!
Eat and Relish the true taste of tradition!
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