Made with Italian Arborio rice with sun dried tomatoes. Italy is Europe's largest producer of rice. The wetlands and cool temperatures of the Lombardi region harbor the ideal conditions for lush rice fields. Resourceful Italians combined rice with the many other items common to their area and developed a dish they lay claim to. It is known as risotto. Rich, creamy risotto is one of Northern Italy's gastronomic delights. They key ingredient in authentic risotto is the short, thick grained rice known as arborio. This rice is the perfect grain for risotto because its texture and cooking properties allow it to retain firmness throughout preparation.