Sicilian arancini listed in the Oxford English Dictionary

The word is among hundreds added to the reference guide in this year's revision.

The prestigious dictionary defines the word arancini as “rice balls” with “a savoury filling, covered with breadcrumbs and fried”. It adds that they are “typically served as antipasto or snack”.

The addition “underlines the British appreciation of Sicilian culinary traditions”, the La Sicilia newspaper writes.

The making of arancini. Photo: Depositphotos

The report notes that the dish hails from Catania – as the masculine plural arancini is used, rather than arancine.

Arancine refers to the round rice balls usually found in Palermo and western Sicily, while arancini are the cone-shaped variety beloved in Catania and the east.

More than 650 words in total have been added to the Oxford English Dictionary as part of the latest update, ranging from slang (“sumfin” and “whatevs”) to the phrase “Fake News”.

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