While passing through Zafferana Etnea, we stopped at Dolceria Torrisi, a go-to spot for anyone looking for a tasty treat while strolling through the square. Our eyes were immediately drawn to the arancino al pistacchio, which looks promising with its golden and inviting appearance.
The experience and tasting
At the first bite, the satisfaction comes from the breading: definitely very crunchy, though a bit greasy, a sign of deep frying. Opening it up, the filling is generous and the color suggests that good quality pistachio is used. However, the balance of ingredients doesn't play in favor of the "green gold".
The cheese, while tasty, creates a creamy barrier that envelops the pistachio, while the diced cured meat steals the show. Although the meat is of good quality, at times it feels a bit too salty — a note that, I admit, depends a lot on personal preference, but in my case, it ended up further masking the delicacy of the pistachio.
The verdict on the pistachio
It is a shame, because the foundation is there, but the pistachio flavor fails to stand out as it should in a product that bears its name. The salty and fatty components take over, leaving the aroma of the green gold in the background. Overall, it is an enjoyable and pleasant bite, ideal if you are in the area and looking for a quick snack, but don't expect a pistachio explosion.
The rating is 4/10: good overall, but the pistachio remains too much in the shadows.
