Do you say arancino or arancina? Let's immediately reveal the linguistic arcane

Surely you know the famous Sicilian dish based on rice, saffron and ragù (but the fillings are many and varied). This is the culinary emblem of Sicily, which in addition to being famous all over the world, also brings with it some interesting curiosities.
Have you ever wondered how to say it correctly? Arancino or arancina? Discover with us the origins of this diatribe and its curiosities!

Arancino, the pride

of the people of Palermo

Arancino derives' aranciu ', which in Sicilian dialect designates the fruit of the orange tree. According to the Accademia della Crusca, 'arancinu' is used as a diminutive of 'aranciu' and therefore indicates a 'small orange'.

But why do you associate the name of a dish with that of a fruit? Everything derives from the Arab tradition, from which it seems that the arancino originated.
Indeed, in Arab culture, names of foods are often combined with names of fruits that resemble you. In addition, in support of the theory that sees the Arabs as the fathers of arancino, there is also the availability of the main raw materials of which it is composed, including rice and saffron.

Probably, if you follow the story of Commissioner Montalbano, it is the term you hear used most often, since Camilleri has even titled one of his best-known works in the world like this: “The Arancini di Montalbano”. In any case, arancino is not only the form chosen by the famous author of the crime stories about Montalbano to define this goodness. In fact, in the same way, many Italian dictionaries, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry itself, also adopt the form “rice arancini” to qualify this specialty.

Unlike the round arancina, the arancino has a shape that recalls that of Etna, and therefore has a conical appearance in such a way as to recall it and to be the symbol of the

famous volcano.

Arancina for the people of Catania in honor of Etna

According to many scholars, arancina is considered the most correct and formal version to designate the typical Sicilian dish.

As for the shape of the arancina, it is inspired by the orange fruit and therefore has a round shape. The Treccani Encyclopedia emphasizes its appearance to define it, and writes that it is an “orange-shaped rice croquette”. In fact, it is considered that the most correct word is' arancina 'due to the fact that the term derives from the fruit of a plant, generally expressed in feminine form.

Arancina is therefore more acceptable at the national level, but at the regional level there is no clear indication that favors arancino or arancina.

As far as its geographical distribution is concerned, the “arancina” variant is mainly used in the areas of Palermo and generally in the westernmost areas of the Sicilian region.

In any case, arancina is the oldest form, as the vocabulary of the Italian language Zingarelli, in 1917, defines arancina as a

dish based on rice and minced meat.

Which rice to use to prepare arancino or arancina

Rice is the predominant ingredient in arancino or arancina. In fact, it seems that this delicacy owes its origin to the need to carry rice seasoned with saffron, herbs and meat during Frederick II's hunting trips and travels. So, the arancino or arancina, was born immediately as a takeaway food.

Throughout its history, this recipe has undergone many reinterpretations and today we have curious reworkings of the original recipe, but the basis of everything always remains him: rice.

The ideal rice to prepare your arancine (or your arancini) is definitely Carnaroli rice, which contains a good amount of starch and makes sure that all the ingredients bond well together to create that symphony of flavors typical of this delicacy.

Don't forget the importance of saffron, which gives it the special golden color and that spicy flavor that makes your mind travel to distant lands.

We are already boiling the water to cook the rice, we are heating the ragù and we are about to use the saffron...
Are you ready to try your hand at preparing this tasty recipe? We trust you, and we know that it will be a hit, mouth-watering!

If you are not an experienced cook, fun is guaranteed in the kitchen, and in case of need you will have the perfect excuse to have your favorite assistant help you