I have tasted the San Giuseppe fritters in many variations, both simple and enriched like the rice fritters with raisins, but this year I rediscovered an old grandma’s recipe to prepare the original Tuscan rice fritters, sweet and even more soft.
A few more tips that make a difference and make them even more delicious, like the orange juice in the dough, so even the little ones can enjoy them. With a few other ingredients, including rice, eggs, milk, and flour, these fritters turn into an explosion of softness, slightly crispy on the outside and soft and moist inside, perfectly blending with the sweet flavor of rice. Every bite of the Tuscan rice fritters offers a contrast of textures that encapsulates all the sweetness and history of Italian tradition. In Tuscany, rice fritters are an unavoidable dessert for Father’s Day but also a journey into childhood memories, when grandma kneaded with patience and love, giving life to these irresistible sweets, that tasted of home, celebration, and family love.
See you at the next recipe!!!
TRY ALSO:
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 35Pieces
- Cooking methods: Stove, Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: San Giuseppe
- Energy 1,320.18 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 61.33 (g) of which sugars 27.31 (g)
- Proteins 7.71 (g)
- Fat 118.35 (g) of which saturated 21.42 (g)of which unsaturated 91.16 (g)
- Fibers 0.70 (g)
- Sodium 162.45 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 3 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients
Yields about 35 fritters.
- 10.6 oz Arborio rice (or originary)
- 2.1 cups milk
- 1.3 cups water
- 6 tablespoons granulated sugar
- lemon zest
- orange zest
- 1 pinch salt
- 2.8 oz all-purpose flour
- 3 eggs
- Half packet baking powder
- 1 orange juice
- as needed peanut oil
- as needed granulated sugar
Tools: Tuscan rice fritters
- Saucepan
- Bowl
- Frying Pan
- Spoon
Recipe: Tuscan rice fritters
In a saucepan, put the milk, water, sugar, a pinch of salt, some pieces of orange and lemon zest. Heat, then add the rice, cook by absorbing all the liquid and stirring constantly (it will take about 20 minutes); remember that the rice must be well cooked and if necessary, add more milk.
Remove from heat, transfer to a bowl, let cool, and remove the lemon and orange zest.
Once the rice has cooled, add the egg yolks, sifted flour mixed with baking powder and mix everything together.
Beat the egg whites until stiff, add them to the dough and mix again.
Now the dough is ready for frying the fritters.
In a frying pan, heat the peanut oil, but do not let it get too hot otherwise the fritters will burn on the outside but not cook inside.
With the help of a spoon or better yet with an ice cream scoop (I used this one), scoop the dough and pour it directly into the pan with hot oil, trying to give it a ball shape. Fry one side, turn and continue on the other; once the fritters are golden brown, transfer them with a skimmer to a plate lined with kitchen paper towels. Now, just roll them in granulated sugar, I always use this tray which I find very useful.
Still hot, here are your San Giuseppe rice fritters, soft, fluffy, and sugary are truly a delight. I warn you…they are addictive, one leads to another. Happy Father’s Day to all dads!
Storage and Tips
Storage: it is advisable to consume rice fritters just prepared, but they can be stored for 1-2 days kept in an airtight container at room temperature.
Tips: you can replace the orange juice with a liqueur like vin santo or rum, but use it in moderation to avoid making the fritters’ flavor too intense.
You can also choose to form round balls before frying them. Just lightly flour your hands, scoop some dough, and roll it gently between your palms.
FAQ
Can I skip adding flour to the fritter dough?
Flour is useful for binding ingredients, it binds the liquids and contributes to the crispness of the fritters during cooking. If you still want to make flourless fritters, you can replace it with cornstarch, potato starch, or rice flour, which are different alternatives to achieve a similar texture.
