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.
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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!

[@mariacasella6474]

Thumbs up for our Nonna she is a godly woman,amazing,wonderful,beautiful,sweet,funny,beautiful voice when she sings,shares the most wonderful stories of her childhood,loves her family always humble,we just wanna hug her💐💐

[@HopeLaFleur1975]

Yes they don't make women like this any longer! That's for sure❤

[@JESUSISLORDforever888]

Amen. I truly would love to hug her🤙🤙🤙🤙✝️✝️✝️

[@bijou737]

I love her! I wish I could be in her kitchen with her learning and eating all her beautiful dishes!!!

[@christinemadrazo6755]

God bless this lovely lady.

[@annaattard1548]

Yes, I love her so much nonna Gina❤

[@laurencona4769]

Gina is a national treasure ❤

[@marbleriver3365]

This is one of, if not the best cooking channel on YT, So clear and straightforward (the text pop-ups for the ingredient amounts show up at the right time) and the lighting and camera-work are perfect. And then there's Gina's irresistible personality. Great job to everyone who makes this channel available.

[@aja1108]

Literally

[@JESUSISLORDforever888]

Sure is♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️🎯👍🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@faradigiorgio6019]

La Nia Nonna, te amo💘💖💗💓 Palermatana?

[@steve051968]

My grandmother and my mother were born in Italy. They aren’t with me anymore but Gina brings back so many wonderful memories! I close my eyes and when Gina talks it sounds like my grandmother!

[@majaveljovic5539]

What a wonderful woman! How happy she is when she makes her family happy! So meticulous, so patient, so loving! Many younger women would have something to learn from her! ❤

[@sarkyfarky8679]

And men!

[@majaveljovic5539]

@@sarkyfarky8679 👍🏻

[@vaprebluemike7520]

Every time I watch Gina, I feel like I have stepped back in time with my grandmother. Oh how I wish we had the technology back then to record her making all of those recipes that were in her head. I was too young to appreciate it all. I know you realize what a treasure Gina is. If I could I would give her great big hug. Thank you for sharing her with the world.

[@janemartin229]

Congratulations--I see you got your 1 million subscriber plaque from KZbin. That is wonderful and you have every right to be proud. We love you and thank you for all the wonderful videos you've made sharing your cooking with us. Keep up the good work!

[@jasonibiza7993]

Congratulation on your 1M+ subs... you deserve more...

[@jasonibiza7993]

Great recipe here... everybody in the family will for sure love it... thanks Gina for sharing this... as always you made things look easy... 💙💙💙

[@JESUSISLORDforever888]

Aloha from Hawaii 🤙🏽🤙🏽🎺✝️🌺🌴❤️🎚

[@ghylmarie9110]

Wow! That’s wonderful news, she deserves it and definitely a national treasure ❤

[@jeannettethorsby7085]

My Nonna & Nonno immigrated to America from Italy. My genitori tried to keep the traditions alive with us. When I hear Nonna Gina talk it reminds me of all of them. I miss them very much. Their all with God in heaven. My mother made these for us. But I never learned this recipe. Thank you for showing me. I'm not fluent with Italian but as you speak I remember certain words 🙂🦋

[@lorirobbins1099]

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❤️

[@DDK62]

Nonna Gina is so right! My mother never made them . Until I met a Sicilian woman who I worked with made them . Now I know how to make them thanks to nonna!❤ It’s a shame our society has lost the time to cook or family to cook for! God bless Bella Gina & family ✝️

[@nonenoneonenonenone]

There was a pizza parlor I used to go to in Manhattan, and they had many dishes for the lunch crowd, like chicken and veal cutlets, eggplant, many trays, all prepared by one Nonna in the basement, and she also made arrancini. I don't know how she did it all. Including the pizza sauce. She must have started very early, like 6 AM.

[@DDK62]

@@nonenoneonenonenone your story reminded me of my childhood in Boston & my mother giving me 50 cents to go down the street to a friends nonnas garden & buy basil & then $2.00 to pick up another friends nonna who made fresh raviolis in her basement! The basil was as big as my head & I could barely carry all the ravi’s! Nonna Gina brings it all flooding back in memories & in this channels heart! God bless❤

[@sylviaaguirre8114]

Thank you, Miss Gina, for the great video. God bless you and your family! ❤

[@victoriasmith6825]

Nonnie GiGi, thank you for keeping my culture alive. My Nonnie passed away nearly 12 years ago the 3rd of July. I think of her every single day. I loved having coffee with Nonnie. We spent nearly weekend together with my Nonno. I miss her and know she is in heaven. :) I just wish I had her recipes. You know us Italians...we add untill our ancestors wisper quietly in our ears "enough child". ❤😂🎉

[@sillyalena]

😂😅 you have me laughing and crying at the same time love love love this😊 so so true!

[@Benni777]

Always a good day when Gina uploads! Hope you’re staying cool, Gina! ☺️

[@dianec3279]

I tried my first arancini at a restaurant last month and I was looking for a good easy recipe to see if I could make my own. Well, here it is! These look amazing! Thank you Gina for all your amazing recipes! God Bless! 🤗❤️

[@catmansma]

Yay!. A recipe from Gina never can go wrong

[@doristessier3683]

I made arancini it's a lot of work. You can use whatever filling you like. I like Italian sausage with onions. Garlic ,artichoke, cheese etc. Grandma Gina cooks for an army. So cute & full of life. Such a inspiration to all of us. God bless y o u grandma & many many years a head of cooking💝😁

[@betsi4949]

Looks yummy

[@terryulmer969]

What else did they serve this with?

[@lauriebradley8295]

I always cherish Gina with her heartfelt recipes, stories and songs. Thank you Gina and camera person.🙏🏼❤️

[@bracha2u786]

She is delightful. I am not Italian and, yet, she reminds me of loved ones lost from the last generation. She is a treasure. May she have many more years in good health!

[@maryjodunn1312]

I watch this show pretty often just to hear Grandma talk and sing because she is a replica of my little Italian Grandma who I was lucky to have til I was 35. I never watch this show without crying!! God bless Grandma and her family who I know helps her.

[@JohnnyUtah15]

That looks so delicious! Thank you Ms. Gina! It’s great to see you cooking and singing again with another video. God bless and have a blessed day.

[@niksand1713]

Grandma Gina is such a blessing to her family and her viewers!

[@grantkozera3656]

Thank you to Grandma Gina's family realize her importance in history. Teaches us more than cooking. She teaches work ethic in today's off the rails society. She teaches a time when women did the cooking with no prepackaged foods,just time tested recipes. When today's society are so concerned about their looks and themselves,Botox etc ..she concentrated on the family. The good Lord has blessed us with you Gina.

[@cristinaaltobelli4860]

Very wise words echoing what most decent people think...the world seems to have lost its soul....Cx

[@beauti4ash]

Nona always makes me smile . I don’t understand what’s she’s singing about, but I love it when she sings. God bless you and your family ❤️❤️❤️

[@Philanthrop007]

Ginaaa... you are such a fun loving happy person. When I see and hear you, my sun rises. I want to dance and sing with you for joy. You always give us wonderful recipes. Many thanks to you dear Gina, Phil from Germany🙋‍♀️

[@kayhaveman2325]

We love you Gina. I’ll pray for our country , the world, and for you and your family. ❤️

[@caseyconsuegra1156]

My great grandmother was from Cuba and she cooked for us all the time. There were so many recipes that she cooked that she learned while living in Cuba. She passed away in 2018, but every time I watch one of your videos, Gina, I think of my Abuela. Thank you so much and God bless you.

[@franceskloos1297]

I am so happy Gina that you showed us how to make these rice balls, I did not know how now I do thanks to you and this wonderful video!! I just love you Gina I have learned so much from you about Italian cooking you are so special, continue making these beautiful videos❤️❤️💐💐

[@henrycooks1883]

Gina you are a treasure, made me hungry, made me laugh, reminded me of my Italian grandmother, what more could anyone ask for.

[@gaylaalbrecht7126]

I love watching you cook and sing. You remind me so much of my grandma. She loved to cook for her family like you do. Your recipes are great and so are you.

[@oneitalia2312]

Lighting candles in the Monastery for Gina and her family ❤⛪♥️🌹🇮🇹♥️

[@melindawood3644]

Thank you Gina for that lovely recipe and your beautiful song! 💝💐

[@danutatobijasz3902]

Dziękuję za pyszny przepis. Jest Pani cudowną kobietą co pięknie gotuje. Zawsze oglądam i korzystam z Pani świetnej kuchni. Pozdrawiam z Polski 🇵🇱🥰💞

[@JESUSISLORDforever888]

Aloha from Hawaii🌼🌴🌺✝️

[@mariacasella6474]

I love your cookbook and make your recipes very often,we need a second cookbook now 🙏🥰

[@janetanderson8473]

❤your such a sweet Christian woman ❤ I love the fact that your a Christian and that you cook like my Mother used to. I miss her and her cooking. God bless you and your family 🙏👏👏😊 Janet, from Butler,Pa.

[@whiteorchid02]

You’re such a treasure Nonna Gina ♥️

[@zitamariebadrov9578]

Thank you for your wonderful recipe ❤ You are a gift to us all! Love you Nona Gina❤❤❤

[@forgoodforall]

I was completely caught off-guard when Grandma Gina started singing. I immediately felt so content and at-home. This is my first of your videos Grandma Gina, but if you don't, please sing much more! If you had a channel of literally just cooking and singing without any instruction, I would watch it daily. Few things in life are so soothing. Thank you for the great video. I look forward to trying the recipe!

[@eddysavio9037]

Thank god for KZbin which can record for all time the traditions of our elders to be passed down to future generations to keep the traditions going.

[@GinaRae1964]

Nonna Gina is looking and cooking so good. ❤ Thank you xxx

[@francescacastiglione7094]

Aracini will always be my favorite tasty memory of my childhood trips to Sicily years ago. We would get them as a delicious snack after spending a warm day at the beach. Mille grazie, Gina!

[@weeniehutjunior]

Congratulations on a MILLION subscribers! I am so happy for you! Very well deserved! 🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@tonimarie503]

Hello Gina. I love watching your videos. I miss my mother so much and watching your videos is such a comfort to me. She used to make Sicilian food for our family. Her favorite was arancini and she never got to teach me. Now you taught me and I can make them. Thank you dear, Gina. God bless you. You are beautiful!! ~ Toni Marie

[@stevieg4201]

Great video Nonna, you and I make Arancini the same way, my parents folks were from Foggia in provincia di Puglia, and from Sicily. So delicious, and you can vacuum seal them 2 to a bag and freeze them, they keep very well. Dio ti benedica nonna 🇮🇹❤️🇮🇹

[@rghaw]

Hello Gina! My dad side of family is Sicilian and we make arancini a lot! We love it. Thank you for sharing my culture! Love from Sicilians!

[@stalphonsusliguori33]

We love nonna too, I am practicing traditional Catholic and love seeing her expressing love. Peace with humbleness and her awesome cooking ❤❤❤ may God bless you nonna

[@mauerbach58844]

Sadly, this kitchen magic she performs is becoming a lost art today. With American moms and dads both in the work force to get by, one really needs to make a commitment to perform this miracle in the kitchen. My mother cooked like Gina. I miss those days very much. Thank you for reminding me of the good times ! Can’t wait to try your Arancini

[@ps_nyisgone]

True, agree, and feel the same. Its sad really. There's nothing like homemade and family.

[@nievesarriola3713]

Brava Nonna Gina! You remind me so much of my mother. She was Spanish, but cooked with the same passion, fun and song as you do I miss her, but can watch you to remember her. What a pity we did not make videos of her. Gracias abuela!

[@margotmurphy7660]

It looks delicious. You remind me of my Mother ❤️ 31:51 she could cook anything. I miss her so much. Thank you you are so special ❤️🙏

[@crystalj2941]

Always look forward to you videos! As someone who wasn't really taught how to cook growing up. I love learning new things for my family!!

[@polettirosahomestead7075]

What would I do without grandma Gina. Love her, wish she was my grandma

[@Yccyhb]

She makes food with so much love. It’s incredible

[@trishjacobs7675]

I absolutely love grandma Gina. I feel like I’m in my grandmas kitchen surrounded by warmth only a grandma gives and making delicious food. Thank you❤

[@Ikdulo]

It's always a wonderful treat to see what Gina's cooking up. I need to go through and watch your videos to teach me how to be a better cook.

[@Karmaisagod8228]

Thank you Nona for your beautiful recipes and great singing love hearing you sing in the kitchen 💐🌺💐🌺💐🌺💐🌺

[@mollyswanner1607]

I love the singing. It seems like it could be for any country,any language, anywhere.

[@Ruralvixon]

Just love the Sprite bottle reused as a decanter for EVOO. Thank you for another delicious recipe and an insight into how you can reduce, reuse and recycle. Grandma Gina is good for the soul, the stomach and the environment!🥰

[@richardsemione7012]

Gina, my brother-in-law makes these with just mozzarella cheese inside without the meat and extra veggies. Yours look delicious. Thanks for sharing all your wonderful recipes with your loving fans. God bless you and your family. We love you. ❤ You are everybody's Italian grandmother.

[@Kevyn53846]

I LOVE Grandma Gina! These look SO GOOD! What I wouldn't give to spend a day with her in the kitchen!

[@sheryldiamond5055]

I had in Italy, came home and made for Christmas Eve, Family went crazy!!

[@mineboro5996]

Bless your heart Gina! You gotta love her more when she does "not too much, just a little" - it's always salt or oil 😂😂 You're wonderful Gina! 🤗

[@berthaaraque8681]

Dear Grandma: It is so nice to see you cooking! Thanks for the recipe, God Bless you. Greetings from California 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@ita40200]

Tough week, here comes Friday, I get back from work tired as hell, put Gina cooking and just relax like I'm watching a good old movie for the weekend.

[@maddellenamansi235]

I love watching Nonna. It’s like listening to my mother♥️

[@jenniferzinsser-wilson5549]

I just love her! She makes me feel like I’m back in the kitchen cooking with my Ukrainian Grandmother. 💙🩵

[@barbarakite3669]

Grandma Gina! Thank you for inviting us to your kitchen and sharing your love for cooking with us. It is contagious! You are such a sweetheart! Thank you for putting smile on my face the minute I start watching each of your videos! Your recipes are delicious 😋 and your instructions so easy to follow! Great filming too! I think I can say we all love you too! Lots of blessings to you and your family ❤

[@tweetyuno]

Grandma is a long time since I didn't get your videos. You look great. Thank You for sharing your culinary knowledge. A big kiss from New York.❤

[@jmheller9268]

Thank you so much Gina for this wonderful recipe. I am sicilian and that is exactly how i make it. God bless you Gina. We love you! From Josie xo❤❤

[@prayrepentbelieve17]

Those look delicious!! I’m definitely going to try making these!! Thank you Gina and family! God bless you! ❤

[@haroldgardner9463]

Gina you are so wonderful and you remind me of my Aunt's who all passed on now but this just melts the stress away! Love your singing and your Stories! Please stay well and God bless you and your familia!❤❤🙏🙏

[@Seniorachica]

My favorite moment is when you bless 🙏🏼 your delicious food (and your viewers) with a song. Amen. Thank you grandma.❤️

[@myjo24de]

Gina, I love when you sing! It reminds me of my sainted Italian father. He would sing and whistle when he was cooking, too. ❤ My grandmother was Sicilian and she made arancini. Wonderful memories! Bless you!

[@jeaniecorrado6092]

Grandma Gina is the best in all that she does. God bless her for many years to come. Thank you for sharing these wonderful recipes 💖

[@ImallamaToo]

She's just precious. 😍 Congratulations on over a million subscribers!

[@barbararuiz8955]

Love You Mama Gina! Thank you for this recipe, love your singing! You are such an inspiration! Yes pray and be well!❤️🙏🌸🌺🌸

[@planetaryPoem9]

I loved her eyes when she wished for peace and told us to pray. She reminds me of my nonna Giulietta. I hope somebody reads to her these wonderful comments and from me: sei un vero tesoro nonna Gina!

[@vee6049]

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 😊

[@dhurley8522]

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 ♥️🙏🏻

[@oro5z]

What a beautiful Nonna, you make evryone so happy with your recipes and your cooking!!

[@oneitalia2312]

The Well-Deserved KZbin Award displayed proudly to her left!!! Do you think, in her wildest dreams (at her glorious age) she would be a KZbin Cooking Sensation worthy of an award?! How wonderful!❤ Mr. Son-In-Law, how happy you have made her. God Bless You!❤🎉❤

[@JULZ_RULZ]

Gina!!! Thank God you're posting again! I love when you pop up!!!❤ 🎉My husband even watches!!! Thanks for keeping us well fed!!! 💖 ~Juliette in NY

[@carlosestevam3620]

Nonna Gina, we love you!!! Thank you very much for another great recipe!!! God bless you and your family!!!❤🙏🇮🇹🍝

[@oneitalia2312]

Arancini = ❤ Labor of Love ❤ Beautifully Sung By Beautiful Gina❤ 🇮🇹🏆🥇❤

[@terririccobuono4492]

I love your Nonna. She reminds me of my mom.

[@dianemakarevitz798]

Love to see you, Gina! My Italian family never made this. Looks delicious! God bless you Gina. I love you, you always make me smile! 🙏❤️

[@leanne2275]

Those look amazing!! I ate them when I was in Italy, but I have never made them! Thank you so much for showing us how it’s done! ❤👏❤

[@nezhaelfasi2386]

♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️ brava

[@mzkatbee463]

I just discovered this channel today and enjoyed it so much. I just finished watching 3hrs of various videos. What a lovely, sweet woman.

[@mariadiantherese9663]

This is an ambitious recipe! What a wondrrful cook! God love you, Grandma Gina!

[@cricketnylund7329]

You warm my heart grandma , so happy to see you. You look wonderful and so happy as always, this dish looks so good! Take care sweet lady . God bless Cricket

[@michellecinquegrano3020]

Beautiful Gina hope all is well i love your videos ❤❤

[@oneitalia2312]

Her mouth was watering waiting for the first one to cool off. ❤ I adore Gina ❤❤❤

[@siglap2010]

Thank you Nonna. You are so cute . I am watching you from Singapore. Sending you love too Nonna

[@roberterickson9885]

Greetings Gina😊 Such a treasure you are to your viewers....always appreciate your teaching us to cook with patience and love You're the best. God bless and keep you safe, dear lady🙏 Judy🌞

[@JA51711]

What a beautiful recipe and I love when Nona sings. Reminds me of my grandma she would sing being thankful for good food. God bless. Paulina is here in memory with her recipe and it is so wonderful that you shared it and I'm sure she would appreciate you sharing it with so many people as her legacy lives on

[@marshaowen6988]

Thank you. It was beautiful. So good to hear Nonna talk and watch her cook. 😊❤

[@dwhitman3092]

Nonna Gina-Always looking Fantastic and showing us her timeless skills. ❤

[@angelad.8944]

Oh my, they look dangerously good. I am making them for my next gathering! 😃 I think I will have to make a double batch lol. Thank you for passing on this great recipe. ♥

[@alessandrataglione6432]

Sempre unica e speciale come le tue ricette...un inno alla vita...complimenti ❤❤🌼🌼

[@monicagrissom8141]

I just Love this beautiful lady!! Haven't watched her in awhile, family and health issues but I also love the way she cooks!

[@cardbored_]

She reminds me of my grandma "Tootsie" Domico, she loved to cook too and was so sweet and warm ❤

[@deedeepillar2389]

Your recipes are delicious Nonna Gina :) God bless you.

[@AmarEnergy]

I LOVE Arancini! I usually make them with leftover risotto. So happy to have an authentic recipe so I can make them anytime. Thank you, Gina! I adore this channel.

[@patriciav5826]

One delightful Italian Grandmother, who truly loves her family, friends, and the Art of Italian Cooking! Gina, I can't wait to make these!!

[@questionmark9819]

My favourite nonna is back 🎉 hello Gina 😊