Arancini are a little bit like the pies of Italy.

By this I mean a portable carb package surrounding a delicious protein centre. In arancini, the pastry is replaced by risotto rice with a coating of crumbs, and the middle can be cheese, ragu, vegetables or a combination. Stodgily delicious, they are one of my favourite snacks, and one of the staples of the Sicilian tavola calda (hot table) snack bars.