Few things in Sicily cause as much heated debate as this simple golden ball of deep-fried joy. In Palermo, it’s arancina—feminine, round, and proud. In Catania, it’s arancino—masculine, often cone-shaped, and just as fiercely defended. But beyond the name, there’s a history that’s as rich as the ragu inside.

The name arancina comes from “arancia” (orange), due to its round shape and color. In Palermo, where the word is feminine, that connection is straightforward. In Catania and eastern Sicily, however, the word arancino (masculine) took over—perhaps influenced by local dialects or culinary stubbornness.