Try this delicious Italian rice with raisins (Riso coll’ Uvetta) from Veneto. This is another traditional family Mediterranean Diet recipe from Siena Terenzio. Rice with raisins might seem unusual, but I have to say it’s absolutely delicious!
The largest rice producing areas in Italy are in the region of Lombardy. Although this is known, the Venetians have their own rice specialties unlike those of the Lombard’s. For example, in Veneto rice is never eaten alone; for this reason, the creation of rice with raisins was born.
Raisins are not a conventional ingredient in northern Italian cooking. Raisins are more typically used in Sicily because the Sicilian cuisine has some Arab, and Greek influences.
Italian Rice with Raisins (Riso coll’ Uvetta)
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup raisins, soaked in water or wine for 10 minutes
- 2 cloves garlic
- 3 tbsp. olive oil
- 2 sprigs parsley, finely chopped
- 1 1/4 cups rice (of your choosing)
- 5 cups boiling stock or water
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Drain the raisins from the water or wine and pat them dry.
- Keep one clove of garlic whole, and finely chop the other. Fry the whole garlic, as well as the chopped garlic, with oil and parsley in a large heavy pan. Once the whole garlic is browned throw it out, keeping the chopped garlic, oil and parsley.
- Add the raisins and then the rice to the oil and cook on medium heat for another 5 minutes, stirring continuously.
- Add a cup of boiling stock or water. Once the cup of stock or water has been absorbed, add another cup. Continue adding a cup at a time and letting it absorb until the rice is soft but still moist. Depending on the type of rice used, you may use up to 10 cups of liquid.
- Once the dish is ready, sprinkle with the grated Parmesan cheese and enjoy!
Nutrition
Calories: 416kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 9gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 1373mgPotassium: 191mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 776IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 162mgIron: 1mg
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About the Author: Siena Terenzio
Siena was born in Boston Massachusetts-however her world adventures began early on in life. At 2 months old Siena was brought to Siena, Italy, where she is named after, and was baptized there. Growing up she traveled with her family all over the world; from South America to China, Siena has experienced the traditions and cultures of communities world wide. Her passion is traveling and Europe is her specialty. Siena is an Italian citizen and therefore travels freely every summer throughout the E.U. She also lived in southern Spain for 4 months.
Currently Siena is studying Public Health and Psychology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst with aspirations of becoming a professional in the public health field, keeping communities healthy on an international level. Siena enjoys food just as much as she enjoys traveling; due to this she absolutely loves cooking and trying new foods and recipes. Another one of her favorite hobbies is exercising, Siena takes great pleasure in working out; she was a gymnast for 7 years and simply couldn’t give it up, so now she coaches gymnastics to young children.
