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Italian Grandma Makes Arancini (Italian Rice Balls)



ARANCINI (Italian Rice Balls)
Rice:
3 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
½ cup finely chopped Onion
6 cups Water
2 teaspoons Salt
¼ teaspoons Black Pepper
3 cups Short Grain Rice (Arborio Rice)
1 cup grated Pecorino Romano Cheese

Meat & Sauce Filling:
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
½ cup Onion, finely chopped
1 Celery Stalk, finely chopped
1 Carrot, finely chopped
Hot Red Pepper Flakes, optional
1 pound Ground Beef
Salt & Black Pepper to taste
6 ounces Tomato Paste
1 cup Water
4 ounces frozen Peas, run under water before using
6 Fresh Basil Leaves
½ pound Mozzarella, shredded or diced small

Forming Balls:
3 Eggs + Salt & Black Pepper
1½ cups plain Bread Crumbs + Salt & Black Pepper
Vegetable Oil for frying
Salt to sprinkle over cooked balls, optional
Marinara Sauce on the side for dipping, optional

COOKBOOK: “Cooking with Grandma Gina” is available on Amazon in Paperback and eBook. Recipes in cookbook are based on videos released prior to March 2021.
Click on the following Amazon link for the cookbook:
https://amzn.to/3IK4dmi

Cheese Grater Link:
https://fantes.com/stainless-steel-bowl-grater/

Buon-A-Petitti Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/buon-a-petitti

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE!
Watch my other videos at: https://www.youtube.com/buonapetitti/videos

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FAN MAIL:
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P.O. Box 223
Adelphia, NJ 07710

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FAQ:
Who is this lady?
Gina Petitti was born in 1935 in Faeto, Italy. It is in the province of Foggia in the Puglia region of southeast Italy. Her family ran a farm in Italy and she met her husband, Vito, in the same town. In 1970 Gina, Vito, and her 4 children immigrated to America. Gina’s husband passed away in 2012, but she is surrounded by a large family, which includes 9 grandchildren, and lives 5 minutes away from her eldest daughter in New Jersey. Gina enjoys making food for her family in the same old fashion ways as she was taught by her mother and grandmother in Italy, and also new things she has subsequently learned from family and friends in America. She also enjoys gardening, and being an active member of her local Church.

Where does Gina get her recipes?
Most of these recipes are from what she learned growing up in Italy, but some of them have evolved over time. She has also learned new recipes from friends and family in America. She is always eager to try new things.

Why is no one helping her in the video?
Grandma Gina doesn’t want help! Usually, it’s because we will slow her down or not do it “her way.” For the videos we only show her, but when the camera cuts we jump in and help form the cookies or prep for the next step.

Why don’t we buy her a new…?
Grandma Gina has a closet and garage full of new gadgets, spoons, forks, pots, etc… but she doesn’t like them because she is used to doing it with her old tools. She has fun getting her hands dirty!

Who is behind the camera and behind the scenes?
Grandma Gina’s retired son-in-law, Nick, does the filming, editing, production, and channel management. Her daughter, Maria, helps with food preparation, kitchen setup and fan support. Also, Grandma Gina usually has one or two grand-kids in the kitchen to help.

Does Gina read the comments?
We print out and show her how much love she gets from all her viewers, and she is very thankful and hopes you enjoy her cooking! Your comments bring her lots of joy, laughter, and inspiration to make more videos to share with you.

Thank you for watching, we hope you subscribe, and we will see you in our next video!

46 Comments

  5. Cheryl Holasek

    Always look forward to seeing Nona and watch her cooking. Wishing you all the best and hopefully more videos. Thank you for all that you do. God Bless. 😊

  6. Alexandra Eads

    You are truly a wonderful Chef. So much detail to every stage of this dish. Many blessings to you and your family. You put love and happiness on every plate.

  8. Lori Robbins

    You may be from Italy originally, but you are our national treasure Nonna Gina. Thank you for sharing your recipes and sweet spirit with us❤️

  15. cindy grammer

    I love to watch you cook; I get a lot of joy watching you cook with joy❣❣ I also love your stories and your joyful singing❣ Thank you for sharing your talents with us❣❣😁

  18. Yvonne Gilmore

    Congratulations Gina on 1 million subscribers awesome 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳😍😍😍🌺🌺🌺❤️❤️❤️❤️👏👏👏👍👍👍

  19. Jessica Malfa

    Gina, you are so amazing! I love arancini but didn't think I could make them. Thank you for explaining it is ok to do it in stages. I love you, your cooking and these videos. God bless you and everyone here. 🥰

  20. Pamela Lepper

    Oh Nona Gina, you inspire me sooooo much! I have your first cookbook and in my head I hear you singing! Will you be putting out another cookbook? Thank you for sharing! God bless you Nona Gina❤

  21. Jean DiCarlo-Wagner

    One of my favorites and you pronounce it exactly like my grandmother did! My family loves when I make these. I usually use one day old rice which makes it just a littles less work at one time. One question: did you rinse your rice? Because it has to be sticky rice, so I usually add just a little extra water. How I wish I could cook with you one day🌹Blessings, Gina 🙏

  24. D Hurley

    Gina …
    My mouth was watering watching this! I absolutely love rice balls!
    I love you Gina, please stay well and keep cool in this hot,humid, weather 😅
    Stay well Gina ♥️🙏🏻

  31. Ted Kirk

    First of all, mille grazie for the Arancini recipes. One of my favorites. I love Gina! She's the best. But in all good fun, totally laughing with her, if you want to have a good laugh, activate the CC automatically generated closed captions and read how it interprets what she says. Thetears were rolling down my face.🤣
    🤣

  35. Vee

    Looks so delicious and worth all the hard work!! My Mamma is from Napoli, she made these and what a special treat they are! Thanks for sharing Gina, will definitely be making 😊

  37. Piano Girl

    Brava Grandma👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻❤ PS I love that she dissected one for us to see. Looks amazing.

  38. Melinda Wanat

    My husbands family makes something similar, pastina balls, made with very small pasta and seasoning. This looks even better. I fry my pastina balls in the air fryer.

  39. Sandy Schipper

    Oh grandma Gina I wish I could share these, or anything you make with you! I think being in your kitchen, watching and learning from you is lovely on video but in person would be so much fun! I just want to give you a hug! Thank you for your recipes and for sharing who you are with all of us. Love to you and your family, who you take such good care of.❤❤

  40. Maura D

    Gina you remind me of my Grandmother who cooked like you. She’s gone now but I can still enjoy cooking with you! Thank you!

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