Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Butter Arancine - A Creamy, Classic Sicilian Street-Food Favourite
Discover the irresistible butter arancine of Sicily - golden, crisp rice balls with a creamy heart of cheese and ham.
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 500 g short-grain rice
- ✓ 200 g tuma cheese
- ✓ 50 g grated Sicilian pecorino
- ✓ 200 g diced cooked ham
- ✓ 100 g butter
- ✓ 3 eggs
- ✓ 500 ml beef broth (approx.)
- ✓ Breadcrumbs
- ✓ Extra virgin olive oil
- ✓ Salt
- ✓ Freshly ground black pepper
📊 Nutritional Information
Butter arancine are one of the most comforting and beloved expressions of Sicilian cooking. These golden, crispy spheres - inspired by the shape and colour of oranges - are a celebration of everything that makes the island’s street food so special: warmth, generosity and irresistible flavour.
Inside their crunchy shell of saffron-tinged rice lies a creamy, melting centre of tuma cheese, butter and diced cooked ham. Every bite is a balance of textures and aromas, from the crisp coating to the rich, savoury filling. Whether enjoyed at a festive family gathering, as a warming winter treat or during a leisurely spring lunch, these arancine always bring joy to the table.
They’re a true comfort food - deeply Sicilian, proudly traditional and guaranteed to win over anyone who tries them.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Cook the rice in about 1 litre of lightly salted beef broth until the liquid is fully absorbed.
- 2
Stir in the pecorino and one beaten egg, then allow to cool slightly.
- 3
Shape the rice into balls about the size of a medium orange, placing in the centre a cube of tuma, a few pieces of diced ham and a small knob of butter.
- 4
Seal the arancine carefully and roll them in breadcrumbs.
- 5
Fry in hot extra virgin olive oil until beautifully golden, then drain on kitchen paper to remove excess oil.
- 6
Serve the butter arancine piping hot.
💡 Tips and Variations
You can replace the tuma with mozzarella or caciocavallo for a different cheese profile. Keep the frying temperature steady to achieve a crisp, even crust.
📦 Storage
- • Store in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- • Reheat in the oven at 180°C for 10 minutes before serving.
- • You can freeze the uncooked arancine for up to a month and fry straight from frozen.
🍷 Pairing
Enjoy these arancine with a glass of Cerasuolo di Vittoria - its rounded, fruity character pairs wonderfully with the creamy, savoury filling.
Thank you for exploring this beloved Sicilian classic with me. I hope these butter arancine bring a taste of the island into your kitchen - and perhaps inspire you to keep discovering the flavours of Sicily. Buon appetito!
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