Recipe - Arancini with Nebrodi Black Pig pork

Introduction to the recipe

The Nebrodi Black Pig is a very old breed, whose presence in Sicily dates back to the time of the Greek domination. The numbers dwindled only during Arab rule, for religious reasons. Due to the island’s deforestation over time, the population is now greatly reduced in comparison with the past, and today these pigs are raised chiefly in the Nebrodi and Madonie Mountains and around Mt. Etna. The flesh has a deep colour and is qualitatively superior to pork from light-coloured pigs, and it cooks up exceedingly well. Arancini made with pork from the Nebrodi Black Pig are a tasty idea for a unique delicacy, celebrating this exquisite meat. To make these arancini, Nebrodi Black Pig pork is stewed in wine, making it tender and extremely flavourful.

Sicilian

Medium

160 grams

Meat

Ingredients for about 12 arancini

For rice:

500 grams of rice ("Roma" and "Originario" rices, mixed in equal doses)
1.1 liter of vegetable stock
2 bags of saffron
10 grams of salt
60-100 grams of butter

For the finish:

100 gr of flour
180 ml of water
2 eggs
150 gr of bread crumbs

For the filling:

400 gr of Nebrodi black pig meat
half onion
1 carrot
1 celery
2 glasses of red wine
1 clove
Mediterranean herbs (bay, sage, marjoram, rosemary)
salt, black pepper
100 gr of semi-seasoned pecorino

Preparation of rice and filling

Rice

How to prepare the rice:

In a saucepan, put the broth, the butter, the saffron and the salt
When the stock is boiling, add the rice and mix well
Cover and cook over low heat until the rice absorbs all the broth and is cooked but al dente
When cooked, stir, pour the rice on a cold surface and spread evenly to allow rapid cooling
When the rice is cool down, it is ready to prepare the arancini

Important

It is important to let the rice dry well during cooking. It should not be too hot or too wet, or it could stick to the mold.

For more informations about rice, Click here.

The filling

Finely chop the onion
Peel the carrots and dice them finely
Slice the celery into thin slivers
Chop the meat into small cubes

Drizzle extra virgin olive oil in a pan and sauté the vegetables, then add the cubed meat and let it brown
Add the wine, a cup of water, the spices, salt and pepper. Lower the heat and simmer until the sauce begins to reduce
Remove from the heat and let it cool
Chop the pecorino cheese into small cubes, add it to the meat sauce and mix it in well

How to shape the arancini

1 - Fill the base of the Arancinotto with rice and use a spoon to pack it down firmly.

2 - Put the lid on the base and insert the plunger as far as it will go.

3 - Remove the plunger and spoon your filling into the central hole, packing it in with a teaspoon to ensure there is a generous amount.

4 - Cover the top with a thin layer of rice and press it down using the other end of the plunger.

5 - Take the cover back off of the Arancinotto and gently remove your arancino.

How to frying the arancini

The finishing touch

Put the arancini in the batter and in the bread crumbs as follows:

In a bowl, place the flour
Add the egg and water and beat well with whips
When the batter is smooth and dense, pass the arancini
Immediately after having passed them in the batter, pass the arancini in bread crumbs

Frying

Fry in plenty of oil until golden brown, to ensure your arancini fry up perfectly, use one of the following oils: peanut oil, olive oil, or palm oil.
Heat the oil to the ideal temperature, 190°C, either in a frying pan or by setting the temperature on your deep fryer.
If using a pan, you can make sure that the oil has reached the proper temperature by dropping in a bread crumb. If it sizzles, then the oil is ready.
Immerse the arancini gently in the oil, only a few at a time, so as to prevent the temperature of the oil from falling too low.
When they are done, place the arancini on absorbent paper, then serve.
Serve the arancini with sauce on the side.

For more information about Finishing and Frying, Click here.

Enjoy your arancini!

Varation

If you prefer a “red” ragù sauce, add some tomato purée to the meat mixture while it is simmering.

Bonus idea

Add some small pieces of mozzarella to the pecorino. Since it melts more readily, it will make the filling of these arancini even more tender and delicious.