(; Italianization of the French word ) are Italian snacks consisting of a ball of rice (generally risotto) with tomato sauce, typical of Roman cuisine. Some believe that they derive from the French croquettes and were introduced to Rome by the French troops of Napoleon at the beginning of the 19th century.
Etymology The name is first attested in the 19th century, and is a corruption of the term , which is used in French cuisine for all types of croquettes or pieces of meat covered with breadcrumbs.
Description Originally, they were filled with chicken giblets, mincemeat or (a type of cheese from Lazio), now also with a piece of mozzarella; the whole morsel is soaked in egg, coated with breadcrumbs and then fried (usually deep fried). They are closely related to Sicilian arancini and the French croquettes, sometimes called , that can be made with rice. can be also prepared without tomato sauce (, which means 'white-style ').
They are usually eaten with the fingers: when one is broken in two pieces, mozzarella is drawn out in a string somewhat resembling the cord connecting a telephone handset to the hook. This has led to these dishes being known as ('telephone-style ', in reference to cables).
were originally sold at , typical Roman shops where fried food was sold. Now they are commonly served in most pizzerias all around Italy as an antipasto.
See also
Arancini Croquette
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