Arancini from Massa Italian Cafe
Item Purchased: Arancini from Massa Italian Cafe
Location Purchased: Massa Italian Cafe / 807 W. Roosevelt Rd. / Chicago, IL
Price: $3.49 + tax
Review: This is one of the least expensive items on Massa’s menu that can pass for a meal. At first, I didn’t think so, but once I was halfway through with this dense ball of rice, I changed my mind. Arancini (pronounced ‘R-on-chini’), is a specialty of Sicily which consists of a fried rice ball with meat sauce, cheese and various vegetables in the center. The center of Massa’s Arancini contains fresh melted mozzarella cheese, peas, carrots and a ragù with what tasted like a bit of spice Italian sausage mixed in. The fried breaded shell keeps the warmth inside until you crack this odd little dish open like an egg and spoon out the contents with a fork. As everything else at Massa has been, all of the ingredients in this rice ball were fresh. Served alongside the arancini ball is a bowl of fresh marinara sauce sprinkled with grated Parmesan cheese that serves as a great dipping sauce for the outside breading or the sticky rice inside.
Surprisingly filling and comparatively affordable, Arancini is a great choice for a light (or not so light) lunch at Massa. There is a lot more rice than filling, so don’t expect an overbearing flavor. This seems to be meant as an appetizer, so the taste is subtle, but you always have the marinara to fall back on.
Now to get a recipe and try to make these things myself.
Rating: 4 / 5
April 10th, 2007 at 6:13 pm
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