What are the frittelle di riso of Pitigliano?

The frittelle di riso of Pitigliano are small sweet fritters made with rice cooked in milk, mixed depending on the recipe with flour and eggs, then fried. They are often sprinkled with sugar; some versions add citrus zest or raisins. The batter remains soft and fairly dense: it is not a filled pastry nor a savory specialty.

À Pitigliano, they are especially associated with the feast of San Giuseppe, March 19, and to the Torciata, the fire celebration that marks this date. You can then find some offered in the town center, but don't necessarily count on tasting them the rest of the year: their availability outside this period depends on the shops and occasions. The recipe varies from one family to another, as elsewhere in Tuscany, so the frittelle you taste may be more or less fragrant or sweet.