Which snack is a deep-fried Italian rice ball traditionally filled with ragù, peas, and mozzarella?

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Arancini are deep-fried Italian rice balls traditionally filled with ragù, peas, and mozzarella.

The rice is cooked, shaped around a filling, coated with breadcrumbs, and fried until golden. The finished snack is usually round or cone-shaped. The name comes from the Italian word for orange because the traditional round form resembles the fruit.

Arancini are especially associated with Sicily, where they are sold in bars, cafés, markets, and street-food shops. Their fillings vary by location and may include spinach, mushrooms, ham, or pistachio.

In Rome and parts of central Italy, a related snack called supplì is typically an elongated rice croquette filled with mozzarella. The two are often confused, but they have different regional identities and customary shapes.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Aug. 2026

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