What Rice Do Italians Eat?
Italians do not traditionally eat much rice, but when they do, they typically use short-grain rice varieties such as Arborio, Carnaroli, or Vialone Nano. These varieties have a high starch content that makes them perfect for preparing creamy risotto dishes. In Northern Italy, risotto is a staple dish made with a variety of ingredients such as mushrooms, asparagus, or seafood. In Southern Italy, rice is mostly used for preparing savory dishes like rice balls (arancini) or rice pudding (budino di riso).