Butternut Squash Arancini with Sage & Mozzarella

Golden, Patient, and Worth the Wait

Arancini are a lesson in transformation — in the quiet alchemy of turning something already beautiful into something entirely new. There is a particular satisfaction in shaping them by hand, pressing a small treasure into the center and sealing it shut, trusting the heat to do the rest. This version leans into autumn: the gentle sweetness of butternut squash, the earthy whisper of sage browned slowly in butter. The outside crisps to a deep, unhurried gold. Inside, everything stays soft.

Ingredients

• 1 package Alessi Risotto Alla Milanese
• 5 tablespoons butter, divided
• 1 tablespoon fresh sage, roughly chopped
• 1 cup diced butternut squash, peeled & cut into 1/2" cubes
• Alessi Sea Salt and Black Peppercorns, to taste
• vegetable oil, for frying
• 1/2 cups flour
• 1 large egg, whisked
• 3/4 cups Alessi Italian Style Bread Crumbs
• 10 fresh mini mozzarella pearls (one small package pearls)
• grated Pecorino Romano, for serving
• Alessi Marinara, warmed for serving
• Chopped parsley for serving, garnishing

Instructions

1. Prepare Alessi Risotto Alla Milanese per package directions.
2. Let risotto come to room temperature then transfer to refrigerator to chill overnight, or until cold (about 1 hour).
3. Meanwhile, brown 4 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
4. Lightly whisk butter until it achieves a deep golden hue.
5. Stir in chopped sage leaves, followed by butternut squash cubes.
6. Generously season with pepper and salt, to taste.
7. Cover and cook squash for 15-20 minutes or until tender, flipping squash occasionally.
8. Transfer butternut squash to a plate and set aside to cool.
9. In same large skillet, bring ½ inch* of vegetable oil to 350F. *Actual amount depends on size of pan.
10. Place flour, whisked egg and bread crumbs in three separate bowls.
11. Work in batches to form arancini using 2 tablespoons of risotto per ball.
12. Enclose one mozzarella pearl and one piece of cooked butternut squash in center of each ball.
13. Roll each ball in flour, then egg and lastly, bread crumbs.
14. Repeat until 10 arancini are formed.
15. Fry arancini until golden brown, about 5 minutes, being sure to rotate throughout cooking.
16. Remove from frying pan and season with salt.
17. Garnish with freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese and parsley. Serve with Alessi Marinara.