Arancini di Riso al Ragù Siciliani
Sicily — Palermo (round) and Catania (cone-shaped)
Sicily's iconic saffron-tinted rice balls, stuffed with slow-braised meat ragù and peas, breadcrumbed, and deep-fried to a shattering orange crust. The name (little oranges) describes their appearance — deep amber-gold from saffron in the rice and frying. Palermo makes them round (feminine); Catania makes them cone-shaped (representing Etna). Both contain ragù di carne with peas; both require a set, cold rice base that holds its shape under frying pressure.