Arancini à l'âne

Arancini al burro is a traditional snack or an appetizer originating from Sicily. These stuffed rice balls are coated with a crispy batter and deep-fried in oil. The al burro version is stuffed with ham or prosciutto, bechamel sauce, and mozzarella or scamorza cheese. The name might be misleading, as burro means butter, and it refers to the old practice of placing a small piece of butter inside the arancini in order to keep the rice soft. In Palermo, the name stayed the same, but the stuffing has been enriched with cheese and ham. In Catania, locals call these snacks arancini con prosciutto. Parsley, salt, and black pepper are often used for seasoning both versions.