Friggitoria facts for kids
A friggitoria (say "free-jee-TOR-ee-ah") is a special shop in Italy that sells delicious fried foods. The word "friggitoria" comes from the Italian word for "fryer." You can find these shops all over Italy, offering quick and tasty snacks.
Friggitorie are very popular in cities like Naples, especially in the old parts of the city. Here, you can try many different fried treats. Some popular ones include pastacresciute (savory fried dough, like zeppole), scagliozzi (fried polenta slices), and sciurilli (fried zucchini blossoms). You might also find fried eggplant and Crocchè (potato fritters).
These fried food shops are also common in other Italian regions. In Liguria, a region in northwest Italy, friggitorie used to be very popular near the port of Genoa. A few of these historic shops are still open today. In Palermo, the capital of Sicily, you can find friggitorie, and sometimes even street vendors, selling local favorites like panelle (chickpea fritters).
Popular Fried Foods at Friggitorie
Friggitorie offer a wide variety of fried snacks and meals. Here are some of the most common and delicious foods you might find:
- Arancini: These are fried rice balls, often filled with meat sauce, mozzarella cheese, and peas. They are a famous specialty from Sicily.
- Calzone: A calzone is like a folded pizza, often filled with cheese and other ingredients, then deep-fried until golden and crispy.
- Crocchè: These are tasty potato fritters, usually seasoned and fried until they have a crunchy outside and soft inside.
- Panelle: A traditional Sicilian street food, panelle are thin fritters made from chickpea flour. They are often served in a bun.
- Panissa: This is a type of fried fritter made from chickpea flour, similar to panelle, but often found in Liguria.
- Pizza fritta: This is a deep-fried version of pizza dough, often topped with tomato sauce and cheese, or simply served plain.
