In Palermo, Santa Lucia (St Lucy’s Day) is more than a date on the calendar. December 13 is a day filled with tradition, storytelling, gratitude and of course amazing food. On this day the Palermitani avoid bread and pasta and instead celebrate with dishes made from wheat and rice. It all goes back to the 1600s, when a ship loaded with wheat arrived in Palermo after a period of famine, which people saw as a miracle from Santa Lucia.
From that moment on, Sicilians have honoured her by preparing foods connected to that miracle. And while cuccìa is the symbolic dessert (our recipe here), the real star of St Lucy’s Day is without question the arancina.
Let’s take a look at the tradition, and then dive into some delicious arancina filling ideas you can try at home.
Arancine on St Lucy’s Day
On December 13, the entire city of Palermo turns into a celebration of frying pans and rice. Arancine appear in every bakery and friggitoria, in every shape and flavour. Traditionally, two fillings are considered the classics: ragù and burro. But Santa Lucia has also become a day when families get creative with new fillings and modern flavours.
Before experimenting, you can start from our signature recipe to make the perfect base.
👉 Traditional Palermo Arancina Recipe
Once you have your rice, the shape and the coating ready, you can play with the filling. Below are some great ideas, each followed by an easy mini recipe. And remember, we’re talking about ArancinA (feminine) here, not ArancinO (masculine). Want to know more about the difference? We’ve got you covered.
10 Arancina Fillings for Santa Lucia (With Mini Recipes)
1. Ragù Classico
The timeless Sicilian choice and often referred as “Arancina Accarne” (Accarne -> With meat, but in a slightly Palermitan slang)
Mini recipe:
Sauté onion, carrot and celery in olive oil. Add minced beef and pork and brown well. Pour in tomato sauce, a splash of wine and simmer until thick. Add peas during the last 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Let it cool completely before using. Or you can have a look at our full recipe here!
2. Burro (Ham, Mozzarella and Béchamel)
Creamy, mild and loved by everyone and often referred as “Arancina Abburro” (Abburro -> With Butter)
Mini recipe:
Prepare a simple béchamel with butter, flour and warm milk. Add diced ham and small cubes of mozzarella. Season with a pinch of nutmeg, salt and pepper. Chill before filling your arancine.
3. Pistachio and Speck
Rich, modern and incredibly tasty.
Mini recipe:
Prepare a quick pistachio cream by heating a tablespoon of butter and adding a spoon of pistachio pesto. Stir in a splash of cream until smooth. Add diced speck and mozzarella cubes. Let the mixture cool.
4. Norma (Tomato, Fried Eggplant and Ricotta Salata)
A vegetarian filling inspired by the classic Pasta alla Norma.
Mini recipe:
Fry diced eggplant until golden. Prepare a simple tomato sauce with garlic and basil. Combine the sauce with the eggplant and a little grated ricotta salata. Chill before using.
5. Spinach and Ricotta
Light, comforting and perfect for a softer flavour.
Mini recipe:
Sauté spinach with garlic and olive oil until wilted. Let it cool, then mix with fresh ricotta, black pepper and a touch of grated parmesan. Adjust the salt to taste. You can add a cube of mozzarella to make it more cheesy!
6. Mushrooms and Béchamel
Creamy and earthy, ideal in winter.
Mini recipe:
Slice mushrooms and sauté them in butter with garlic and parsley. Combine with a small amount of béchamel to hold everything together. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
7. Sausage and Scamorza
Rustic and bold with a beautiful cheesy melt.
Mini recipe:
Remove sausage from its casing and sauté until browned. Add a splash of white wine and let it evaporate. Mix with diced scamorza cheese. Allow the cheese to chill so it stays firm inside the arancina.
8. Squid Ink Arancina (Nero di Seppia)
A bold and unmistakably Sicilian filling. The deep black colour of the squid ink combined with tender calamari creates one of the most iconic flavours of Sicilian coastal cuisine.
Mini recipe:
Slice fresh calamari into small pieces and sauté them gently in olive oil with garlic and a bit of chili. Add a splash of white wine and let it reduce. Stir in tomato paste and a spoonful (or two) of squid ink until the sauce turns glossy and black. Simmer for a few minutes until thick, then season with salt and parsley. Let the mixture cool completely before filling your arancine, so the sauce stays firm and doesn’t leak. Full recipe here!
9. Artichokes and Provola from the Madonie
A deeply Sicilian filling that feels perfect for winter. Artichokes are a staple in Sicilian home cooking and the provola melts beautifully, giving you a rich and comforting bite.
Mini recipe:
Clean the artichokes by removing the tough outer leaves and slice them thinly. Sauté them in olive oil with garlic and parsley until tender. Season with salt, pepper and a splash of lemon juice to keep them bright. Once cooled, mix the artichokes with small cubes of provola from the Madonie (or any semi-aged Sicilian-style provola). Chill the mixture before using it so the cheese stays firm while you shape the arancine.
10. Sweet Nutella Arancina
Yes, it exists and yes, it is amazing.
Mini recipe:
Chill Nutella in the fridge until firm. Scoop small portions and freeze them for 10 to 15 minutes to keep the filling compact while shaping your arancine. For an extra treat, add a sprinkle of crushed hazelnuts.
Do you need an Arancini Maker Mold to make your life easier? We’ve got you covered! Click on this affiliate link by Amazon and you can get yours today for a discounted price of 17.45$! Click Here.
How Sicilians Celebrate Santa Lucia Today
Across Sicily, December 13 has an unmistakable atmosphere. Families gather around trays of arancine and cuccìa, kids choose their favourite fillings, and kitchens stay warm from morning to evening. Even bakeries prepare dozens of variations, from the most traditional to the most experimental.
It is a day made of gratitude, community and food that tells a story centuries old.
Celebrate St Lucy’s Day with Us
If you want to bring a piece of Sicily to your home this Santa Lucia, start from our classic arancine recipe and try one of these fillings. Whether you prefer something traditional or you want to get creative, there is an arancina for everyone.
Authentic Sicilian ingredients, delivered to your door
Shop Bronte pistachios, artisan pasta, extra virgin olive oil and more on Dolceterra.com — use code SICILIANFOODCULTURE10 for 10% off your order.
If you enjoyed this article, consider supporting us with a small donation — it helps keep the site running!
Buy us a Cannolo!
