Italian stuffed fritters (crispelle): crunchy and quick to prepare!

Italian stuffed fritters, also known as "arancini," are a delicious Sicilian dish made of fried rice balls stuffed with a variety of fillings. Here's a recipe to make them at home:

Ingredients:

For the rice:

• 1 1/2 cups short-grain rice
• 3 cups chicken or vegetable stock
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper

For the filling:

• 1 cup ground beef
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 1/4 cup diced carrot
• 1/4 cup diced celery
• 1/2 cup diced tomato
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1/4 cup red wine
• Salt and pepper
• 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes

For the coating:

• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• Vegetable oil, for frying

Instructions:

1. Rinse the rice under cold water and drain well.
2. In a medium-sized saucepan, bring the stock to a boil over high heat. Add the rice and a pinch of salt, then reduce the heat to low and cover the saucepan with a lid. Cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed all the liquid.
3. Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
4. In a separate pan, sauté the ground beef, onion, carrot, celery, and tomato until the beef is browned and the vegetables are soft. Add the tomato paste and red wine and continue to cook until the liquid has evaporated. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Let the rice cool for a few minutes, then take a handful and form it into a ball. Use your thumb to make an indentation in the center of the ball and stuff it with a small spoonful of the beef mixture and a piece of mozzarella cheese. Use more rice to seal the ball and shape it into a round ball.
6. In a shallow dish, beat the eggs. In another shallow dish, place the breadcrumbs.
7. Heat the vegetable oil in a deep-fryer or a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Dip the rice balls in the beaten egg, then coat them in the breadcrumbs.
8. Fry the rice balls in the hot oil until they are golden brown, turning them occasionally to ensure they are cooked evenly. Drain them on a paper towel-lined plate.
9. Serve the Italian stuffed fritters hot, garnished with chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese.

Enjoy your delicious Italian stuffed fritters!