Arancini with Cotechino and Lentils

Arancini with cotechino and lentils are a creative and unusual variant that combines the tradition of classic Sicilian arancini with that typical of the Italian New Year’s Eve dinner, where cotechino and lentils are symbols of good luck and prosperity.

Ingredients

• 200 g of risotto rice (such as Arborio or Carnaroli)
• 150 g of pre-cooked cotechino
• 100 g of dried lentils (or 200 g if already cooked)
• 1 small onion
• 1 carrot
• 1 celery stalk
• 1 l of vegetable broth
• 50 g of grated Parmesan
• 2 eggs
• Breadcrumbs as needed
• Flour as needed
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Oil for frying
• Butter (optional)
• White wine (for deglazing, optional)
• Saffron (optional, to color the rice)

Preparation

1. Start by preparing the risotto: sauté some chopped onion in a pot with oil and, if desired, a knob of butter. Add the rice and toast it until translucent. If you like, deglaze with a splash of white wine. Continue cooking the risotto with the vegetable broth, adding a ladle at a time as it absorbs. Halfway through cooking, add the saffron for a classic Milanese-style risotto.
2. While the risotto cooks, simmer the lentils in water with an onion, a carrot, and a celery stalk until tender, then drain and season with a little oil and salt.
3. Dice the pre-cooked cotechino into small cubes and fry in a pan until crispy.
4. When the risotto is ready and still al dente, remove from the heat, stir in the grated Parmesan and a knob of butter to finish, then let it cool.
5. Beat the eggs in a bowl and have the breadcrumbs ready in another.
6. To shape the arancini, take a portion of risotto, flatten it in your hand, and place some lentils and a few pieces of cotechino in the center. Close the risotto around the filling to form a ball or cone.
7. Coat the arancini first in flour, then in the beaten egg, and finally in the breadcrumbs.
8. Fry the arancini in hot oil until golden. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.

Trivia

The use of cotechino with lentils in this recipe is an example of how two traditional elements can be combined in a new and surprising way. Furthermore, arancini are often associated with celebrations and special occasions, making this variant particularly suitable for end-of-year festivities or to brighten the first days of the new year with a touch of luck.