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Spinach Arancini

17/11/2023

Spinach arancini are a delicious variant of the classic Sicilian arancino. Here’s the recipe to make them:

Ingredients

  • 500 g of risotto rice (such as Arborio or Carnaroli)
  • 200 g of fresh or frozen spinach
  • 100 g of soft cheese (such as mozzarella or provola), cut into cubes
  • 50 g of grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 liter of vegetable broth
  • 2 eggs
  • Breadcrumbs as needed
  • Flour as needed
  • Oil for frying
  • Black pepper as needed
  • Salt as needed
  • Saffron (optional)
  • Nutmeg (optional)

Preparation

  1. Start by cooking the spinach in a pot with a little water or in the microwave if they are frozen, following the instructions on the package. Squeeze them well to remove all the water and chop them coarsely.

  2. In a pot, lightly toast the rice with a little oil and the chopped onion until the onion becomes translucent.

  3. Gradually add the hot vegetable broth to the rice, stirring often to prevent sticking. If you like, you can add a little saffron dissolved in a ladle of broth to add color and flavor.

  4. Halfway through cooking (about after 10 minutes), add the chopped spinach and continue cooking the rice until it is al dente and the broth is almost completely absorbed.

  5. Remove the rice from the heat and let it cool. Then, add the Parmesan, a pinch of salt, pepper, and grated nutmeg if you’re using it. Mix everything well.

  6. When the risotto is cool, start forming the arancini by taking some rice and flattening it in your hand, put a piece of cheese in the center and close the arancino giving it a round or oval shape. Make sure they are well sealed so that the cheese does not leak out during frying.

  7. Dip each arancino first in flour, then in the beaten egg and finally in breadcrumbs, making sure they are well coated.

  8. Fry the arancini in plenty of hot oil until they are golden and crispy. Drain them on paper towels to remove excess oil.

  9. Serve them hot so the cheese inside will be stringy and tasty.

Trivia

Arancini, whose name comes from their appearance resembling small oranges, are a specialty of Sicilian cuisine. Although the most classic variant is the ragù one, there are multiple versions that include different fillings such as spinach, mushrooms, ham and mozzarella, and even sweet versions.

Spinach arancini