Il Cucinologo
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Arancini with Pumpkin and Amaretti

26/11/2023

Arancini with pumpkin and amaretti are an autumnal sweet-savory variant of one of the classic Sicilian street foods. Here is the recipe to prepare tasty arancini with a unique flavor.

Ingredients

  • 300 g of arborio or carnaroli rice (ideal for achieving a good consistency)
  • 800 ml of vegetable broth
  • 1 small shallot
  • 200 g of pumpkin, cleaned and diced
  • 50 ml of dry white wine
  • 30 g of butter
  • 50 g of grated Parmesan
  • 100 g of amaretti
  • 2 eggs
  • All-purpose flour as needed
  • Breadcrumbs as needed
  • Oil for frying
  • Salt and pepper as needed

For the filling:

  • 200 g of cooked pumpkin
  • 100 g of mozzarella or mild provola, cut into cubes
  • 30 g of crumbled amaretti

Preparation

  1. Start by preparing the risotto: in a large pot, sauté the finely chopped shallot with a drizzle of oil. Add the diced pumpkin and let it flavor for a few minutes. Add the rice and toast it lightly. Deglaze with the white wine and let it evaporate.
  2. Gradually add the hot vegetable broth, stirring frequently and waiting for the liquid to be absorbed before adding the next ladle of broth. Continue until the rice is cooked but still al dente.
  3. Once cooked, remove the risotto from the heat and stir in the butter and Parmesan. Let it cool completely, preferably in the refrigerator for a few hours.
  4. Prepare the filling by mashing the cooked pumpkin with a fork and combining it with the crumbled amaretti and the mozzarella or provola cubes.
  5. Take a portion of cold risotto, form a disk in your hand, and place some of the pumpkin, amaretti, and mozzarella filling in the center. Close the arancino to form a ball or cone shape, typical of Sicilian arancini.
  6. Coat the arancini first in flour, then in the lightly beaten egg, and finally in breadcrumbs.
  7. Fry the arancini in plenty of hot oil until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
  8. Serve the arancini hot to fully enjoy their crispiness and the stringy center.

Trivia

Amaretti give this dish an unexpected touch of sweetness that pairs well with the savoriness of the cheese and the sweetness of the pumpkin. This version is a great example of how Italian cuisine is open to creative interpretations of regional classics.