Arancini

Arancini (,, ; ; : arancino), also known as arancine (: arancina), are Italian rice balls that are stuffed, coated with breadcrumbs and deep-fried. They are a staple of Sicilian cuisine. The most common arancini fillings are al ragù or al sugo, filled with ragù (meat or mince, slow-cooked at low temperature with tomato sauce and spices), mozzarella or caciocavallo cheese, and often peas, and al burro or ô burru, filled with ham and mozzarella or béchamel sauce.

A number of regional variants exist which differ in their fillings and shape. Arancini al ragù produced in eastern Sicily, particularly in cities such as Catania and Messina, have a conical shape inspired by the volcano Etna.

Etymology
Arancini derives from the Sicilian plural diminutive of aranciu, from their shape and colour which, after cooking, is reminiscent of an orange.

In Sicilian, arancini is grammatically plural. The corresponding singular is either the masculine arancinu or the feminine arancina. The eastern side of Sicily tends to use the masculine form, while the western side tends to use the feminine form.

In Italian, the masculine arancino (: arancini) form has become prevalent, although the feminine form arancina (: arancine) can also be used.

History
Arancini are said to have originated in 10th-century Sicily, at a time when the island was under Arab rule. Its origins may therefore be possibly the same as Levantine kibbeh.

In the cities of Palermo, Siracusa, and Trapani in Sicily, arancini are a traditional food for the feast of Saint Lucy (Italian: Santa Lucia) on 13 December, when bread and pasta are not eaten. This commemorates the arrival of a grain supply ship on Saint Lucy's day in 1646, relieving a severe famine.

Today, with the increasing popularity of this finger food in Italy, arancini are found all year round at most Sicilian food outlets, particularly in Palermo, Messina and Catania. The dish was created to provide a full meal to Frederick II during his hunting activities.

Ingredients and variations
The most common type of arancini sold in Sicilian cafés are arancini cû sucu, which typically consist of meat in a tomato sauce, rice, and mozzarella or other cheese. Many cafés also offer arancini cû burru (, with butter or béchamel sauce) or specialty arancini, such as arancini chî funci (, with mushrooms), arancini câ fastuca (, with pistachios), or arancini â norma (, with aubergine).

In Roman cuisine, supplì are similar but are commonly filled with cheese (different preparation methods and filling distribution). In Naples, rice balls are called pall' 'e riso.

In popular culture
In Italian literature, Inspector Montalbano, the main character of Andrea Camilleri's detective novels, is a well-known lover of arancini—especially those made by Adelina Cirrinciò, his housekeeper and cook. The success of the book series and the television adaptation has contributed to making this dish known outside of Italy.