I’m excited to share with you a special recipe that I’ve cooked numerous times, perfecting it with each attempt. Savor the flavors of Arezzo and Tuscany with Fried Celery Rocchini, a delightful fried celery treat that’s perfect alongside chicken or rabbit.

Celery Fritters in Tomato Sauce | Rocchini di Sedano

Guido Pasquariello

This dish featuring tender celery transformed into savory, cheese-infused balls, fried to golden perfection and simmered in a rich tomato sauce. This rustic yet elegant recipe brings a taste of Tuscan traditional cuisine to your table, perfect alongside poultry dishes.

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Prep Time 20

Cook Time 1

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4

Equipment

Large pot
Frying pan
Cutting board
Knife
Mixing bowls
Paper towels

Ingredients

3 large fresh celery stalks
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Flour for coating
2 eggs beaten
4 cups Sunflower oil for frying
1 pot of tomato sauce or leftover meat stew sauce

Instructions

Prepare the Celery: Trim and discard the tough white part of the celery stalks. Remove any naturally separating strings. Cut the celery into pieces, keeping the leaves aside.
3 large fresh celery stalks
Boil the Celery: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the celery pieces for about 30 minutes. Add the leaves and continue cooking for another 30 minutes.
Drain and Cool: Drain the celery and leaves. Once cool, squeeze out excess water.
Chop and Shape: Finely chop the celery on a cutting board. Squeeze out any remaining water and shape into small balls (rocchini).
Coat and Fry: Heat the sunflower oil in a frying pan. Coat each rocchini in flour, then dip in beaten egg. Fry until golden brown.
Flour for coating, 4 cups Sunflower oil for frying, 2 eggs
Drain Excess Oil: Place the fried rocchini on paper towels to drain.
Simmer in Sauce: Add the rocchini to the pot with tomato sauce or leftover meat stew sauce. Simmer for 15-20 minutes on medium heat, covered.
1 pot of tomato sauce
Serve Hot: Serve the rocchini hot, sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Notes

Enjoy this traditional dish from Arezzo, where the humble celery is transformed into a luxurious treat. Perfect for special occasions or a unique side dish.

Delight of Celery Fritters from Arezzo

This unique side dish, popular in Arezzo and the Valdarno area, showcases celery’s robust yet subtle flavor, enriched with minerals and health benefits.

In Arezzo, celery isn’t just a salad ingredient; it’s a centerpiece. From raw veggie platters to sautéed delights, it’s a staple in local kitchens. But wait until you try Celery Fritters! These bite-sized wonders are fried to crispy perfection, creating a flavor explosion that’s both indulgent and soul-satisfying. They’re the perfect partner for chicken or rabbit dishes.

Ready to explore more of Arezzo’s culinary secrets? Click here to journey through the traditional dishes and flavors of Arezzo: Explore Arezzo’s Traditional Dishes and Foods.