Leftover Risotto? Make Arancini!

Following up on last week’s risotto, let’s say you make too much of it. (The dried rice is deceptively small-looking in the pot. Just wait until it absorbs the broth…) Now what will you do what all that rice?

Make Arancini!

Arancini are essentially fried rice balls. They are classically made from a mushroom and pea risotto, although any risotto with cut-up vegetables could work well. The middle of the ball is stuffed with a piece of mozzarella. Here is a great recipe for the risotto and arancini from Giada De Laurentiis.

Arancini are becoming easier and easier to find in more traditional pizzerias. Pete’s New Haven Style Apizza in Tenleytown serves them (see photo above.) While they were smaller than the ones I remember eating in Naples, they were just as delicious. You can also find them at 2Amy’s Pizzeria near the National Cathedral.