If you find yourself in Bologna and fancy a taste of one of the capital’s most beloved specialities, you are in the right place. Among the great classics of Roman cuisine, the famous supplì al telefono simply had to be on the menu here at Pistamentuccia.
What are they, how are they made, and why are they called that? Read on to discover all the fun facts!
Roman supplì: what are they and how are they made?
A Roman supplì is a delicious, stuffed rice croquette—a classic of Roman cuisine that never goes out of style. Its cylindrical shape combines the rich goodness of ragù with a mozzarella filling, which is breaded and deep-fried to achieve a golden, crunchy crust.
The rice croquette isn’t just seasoned with ragù, though; a multitude of versions exist. At the end of this article, we’ll reveal exactly how we prepare them!
Why do they call it "supplì al telefono"?
Its famous name comes from its defining feature: a core of mozzarella that must be hot and stringy. Tradition dictates that, once pulled apart, the supplì reveals a string of melted mozzarella connecting the two halves, looking just like an old-fashioned telephone wire. In short, it is not just incredibly tasty, but rather spectacular to look at too!
Where does the name "supplì" come from?
The word derives from the French surprise. The term seemingly originated during the French occupation in the early 1800s, when a soldier from Napoleon’s troops tasted one and exclaimed “surprise!”. Over time, it evolved into surprisa, then supprisa, eventually becoming supprì and finally supplì—the name everyone knows today.
Supplì vs Arancini: here are the differences
When talking about supplì, it is inevitable to bring up their Sicilian cousins: arancini. But what are the differences between these two seemingly similar dishes? Let’s take a look:
- 1. Origin and tradition: Supplì are typical of Roman cuisine, whereas arancini come from the Sicilian tradition.
- 2. Shape: Supplì are generally cylindrical, while arancini have a rounder and sometimes pointed shape.
- 3. Filling: The filling of a supplì relies on ragù and mozzarella, while arancini can be stuffed with completely different ingredients, such as ragù and peas, or butter and ham.
- 4. Rice: In a supplì, the rice is mixed directly into the ragù sauce, whereas in arancini, the rice is often white or lightly seasoned with saffron.
All in all, if you want to experience the authentic cuisine of Rome, the supplì is exactly what you need.
How do we prepare our supplì at Pistamentuccia?
Out of pure respect for tradition and the true Roman supplì, our croquettes are prepared with the freshest ingredients and a deep love for the food of our home city. To please every palate, this is where our real surprise effect comes into play: we serve our supplì in portions of three, featuring three different varieties that change all the time!
Here are our classic versions:
- 1. Classic tomato supplì: The ultimate classic, with rice cooked in tomato sauce and a core of stringy mozzarella inside. One bite and you are instantly in Rome!
- 2. Coda alla vaccinara (oxtail stew) supplì: A must-try variation that merges one of the most loved main courses of Roman cuisine with its enveloping, deeply savoury flavour—a real gem for true connoisseurs.
- 3. White cacio e pepe supplì: Made without tomato, but packed with flavour thanks to the sapidity of Pecorino Romano and the aromatic punch of black pepper. Naturally, the stringy mozzarella heart is a must here too.
Every supplì is handmade in our kitchen, from cooking the rice to the crunchy breading, and fried to order to guarantee that irresistible crispness that makes every single bite special.
Supplì: a simple, timeless recipe—just like its city!
A fascinating aspect of the supplì is that it started out as a recipe for using up leftovers. In the past, Roman families reused leftover rice to create these croquettes, enriching them with a heart of mozzarella and frying them to create a simple yet incredibly tasty dish.
Today, the supplì retains its working-class soul, but adapts beautifully to modern times with new fillings and flavours waiting to be tried.
If you are around Bologna and looking for new flavours, our supplì and our Roman cuisine are an experience you cannot miss. Perfect for any occasion, from a quick lunch to a dinner with friends, these little treats will win you over at the very first bite.
Come and visit us! Ce trovi a du passi dar centro—you can find us just a stone’s throw from the city centre, at via Testoni 2/b. We highly recommend booking your table, which you can now do via WhatsApp!
