Probably one of my most requested recipes is the non-stir risotto I learned from the owner of Pila Vecia, Gabriele Ferron.
We visited him in his place just outside Verona and saw the old mill for milling the rice and learned all about rice.
Like all regional recipes, there are different rules, depending where you live. He told me that the long stirring of the risotto can damage his rice, so he prefers the non-stir techinique. I think most people don’t quite get the cooking time down right, there are so many different factors to making the rice perfect. There are special copper pans, getting the right temperature, ratio of liquid to rice. So many ways to make a mistake.
For me, risotto is my go to recipe when i don’t know what to have for dinner, and I can have it ready in less time that it takes me to make pasta.
A classic combination I like is risotto with zucca gialla, which can be pumpkin or squash. The color of the pumpkin, made me want to pair it with another classic for risotto, saffron.
Here is my risotto based on his tricks
Ingredients
- Risotto con Zucca Gialla e Zafferano
- 1 clove of garlic, sliced
- 1 small piece of ginger, peeled and minced
- 1 cup of peeled and cubed pumpkin, Butternut squash is perfect or Kabosha
- Saffron ( in Italy, we can buy powdered saffron in small packages, I used one)
- 1 cup canaroli, arborio or vialone nano rice
- 2 cups water
- extra virgin olive oil
- salt
- Parmigiano Reggiano
Instructions
- In a pot large enough to hold the rice when cooked, it doubles in size, cover the bottom of the pot with extra virgin olive oil.
- Add the sliced garlic and ginger. Turn on the heat. (If you add the garlic to preheated oil it is easier to burn.)
- Then I add the pumpkin in small cubes and topped with some saffron.
- Add the water, I don't use broth, I think I have enough flavors going on here and I was a vegetarian, so like to keep things simple and have things my vegetarian friends can eat.
- Add salt to taste.
- Bring the water to a boil, cover and lower the heat.
- Cook for 14 minutes. The liquid should be totally absorbed.
- NOW you can stir. Add in some grated parmigiano reggiano and about 1/2 cup of water. Start to stir. the stirring now will bring out the creaminess in the risotto, without adding any cream. Some people like to stir in a little butter with the cheese at the end, feel free!
- Serve with some shaved parmigiano reggiano on top.
- It would also be lovely to top with some traditional aceto balsamico.
This is great for parties, you can precook the risotto and finish it off when you are ready to serve. When I worked in a restaurant in Fiesole, they BAKED the risotto, then finished it off in a pan to order. At that point, if you made a plain white risotto, with an onion as the base, you can add mushrooms, tomato, cheeses or anything else when getting ready to serve.
I love tricks from the professionals.
Let me know if you try the recipe and are successful. Making risotto always impresses guests.
It can be a meal if topped with some grilled prawns or a side of meat.
This risotto was easy and delicious! When I think of all the time I’ve spent stirring risotto, this recipe is a revelation. Stir a little at the end, add butter and cheese, the eat and feel hapoy.
I can’t wait to try this
Looking forward to giving this gorgeous looking risotto a try! Interesting addition, the ginger…and anything that can be done in the oven gets two thumbs up from this cook! Even though I sort of like the Zen of stirring!