Risotto balls can be filled with fontina cheese.
Fried risotto balls are appetizers or canapés, usually made from leftover risotto molded around a filling and then breaded and fried. They are usually served hot and sometimes with sauce. A less popular cooking method for risotto balls is baking.
The origin of this dish is commonly attributed to Sicily. The Sicilian name for fried risotto balls is arancini or arancine, the Italian word for orange, which is based on the shape and orange color the food takes on when fried. Western Sicily generally produces round arancini, while eastern regions tend to shape snacks into small cones.
The rest of the risotto can be shaped around a filling and fried to make risotto balls.
Risotto is an Italian rice dish that is usually served as a side dish or appetizer. It differs from steamed rice in that it is prepared by very slowly adding water or broth to uncooked short-grain rice, stirring continuously. This method allows the rice grains to gradually release their starch. The end result is a creamy dish with a silky texture. Since leftovers harden when refrigerated, the mixture is perfect for rolling into balls around fillings to create fried risotto balls.
The American version of risotto balls is traditionally filled with mozzarella or Fontina cheese or a combination of the two. Roman cuisine also favors cheese filling. Considered the most authentic version and sold in Sicily, the fried risotto dumpling recipe is traditionally filled with mozzarella, tomato sauce, peas and meat. Less common fillings include mushrooms and eggplant. Once the balls are formed, both versions are floured, dipped in beaten egg, coated in breadcrumbs and fried.
History indicates that the first fried risotto balls were made in the 10th century, when Sicily was under the rule of a Shiite Muslim dynasty called the Kalbids. The light, crispy rice snacks were reportedly based on a Middle Eastern recipe. During the Middle Ages, saffron was a common ingredient in rice balls.
Rice was not originally from Sicily and is not currently grown there. It is commonly believed that the Kalbids built irrigation systems during their rule to facilitate rice cultivation. It is also a common belief that Sicily’s climate was cooler and natural water was more plentiful during Khalid’s rule, making rice cultivation much easier.
It’s not entirely clear why these ancient snacks have gained such popularity around the world. One theory is that the popularity of Italian novelist Andrea Camilleri’s detective novels is to blame. The books’ main character, Inspector Montalbano, often goes to great lengths to satisfy his recurring craving for fried risotto balls.