Spelt Arancini with Grilled Vegetables

Spelt arancini with grilled vegetables are a lighter and healthier variant of the traditional Sicilian arancino, which is usually made with rice. Spelt is an ancient grain, rich in fiber and protein, and the grilled vegetables add a touch of lightness and freshness to this recipe. Here’s how to prepare them:

Ingredients

• 200 grams of pearled spelt
• 500 ml of vegetable broth
• 1 zucchini
• 1 small eggplant
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 yellow bell pepper
• 100 grams of mozzarella or vegan melting cheese
• 100 grams of breadcrumbs
• 2 eggs (or a vegan substitute such as chickpea flour and water to obtain a batter)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Oil for frying

Preparation

1. Begin by cooking the spelt in vegetable broth until it is soft but still al dente. This generally takes about 20-30 minutes. Once cooked, drain well and let cool.
2. Meanwhile, slice the zucchini and eggplant, then cut the bell peppers into strips. Grill the vegetables on a hot grill, brushing them lightly with extra virgin olive oil and seasoning with salt to taste. They should be soft but still have some texture.
3. Once grilled, cut the vegetables into very small pieces so that they can be easily encapsulated in the arancini.
4. Also, cut the mozzarella into cubes.
5. In a large bowl, mix the spelt with the grilled vegetables and adjust for salt and pepper.
6. Prepare two separate bowls: one with beaten eggs and one with breadcrumbs. If you are following a vegan version, prepare a batter with chickpea flour and water until you achieve a suitable consistency for breading.
7. Now start forming the arancini by taking a handful of spelt and vegetables, insert a cube of mozzarella in the center, and close it by forming a ball or a cylinder. If the spelt isn’t sticky enough, you can help with a bit of water.
8. Dredge each arancino first in the egg or vegan batter and then in the breadcrumbs.
9. Heat plenty of oil in a pan and when it has reached the right temperature, fry the arancini until they are golden and crispy on all sides. Drain them on paper towels to remove excess oil.
10. Serve the spelt arancini with grilled vegetables hot.

Curiosity

In Sicily, arancini are a true culinary institution and can be filled in various ways: from the classic ragu with peas to mozzarella and ham, to more gourmet versions. Their round shape symbolizes the sun, which has always had great cultural importance in Sicily, and it is precisely this shape that gives the name “arancini”, which means little oranges. The spelt arancini with grilled vegetables thus represent a contemporary reinterpretation of this ancient tradition.