Andy Montoya
Cheddar is a popular cheese in the UK, but what about Italian cheese? Italy has a wide variety of cheeses, from the well-known Parmigiano-Reggiano to the lesser-known Pecorino Romano. While there may not be an exact Italian equivalent to Cheddar, there are some Italian cheeses that can be used as substitutes in recipes. For example, Grana Padano is a hard cheese made from cow's milk that can be used instead of Parmesan, and Burrata, a mix of Mozzarella and cream, can be used in place of Cheddar in some dishes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Texture | Granular, crumbly, flaky |
| Flavour | Nutty, slightly sweet, umami |
| Colour | Natural golden yellow rind, straw-coloured or white interior |
| Shape | Cylindrical, with a slightly convex or almost straight edge |
| Size | Diameter: 35-45 cm, Heel: 18-25 cm |
| Ingredients | Milk, salt, calf rennet, lysozyme |
| Age | Minimum of 9 months |
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What You'll Learn
- Mozzarella is an Italian favourite, but it's not a good substitute for cheddar due to its high fat and calorie content
- Grana Padano is a hard cheese made from cow's milk. It's similar to Parmesan but milder and softer
- Parmigiano-Reggiano is a sheep's milk cheese that matures quickly and has an intense taste
- Pecorino Romano is a hard, salty cheese made from sheep's milk. It's often used as an alternative to Parmesan
- Burrata is made from a mix of mozzarella and cream. It's buttery and creamy, but not a good cheddar substitute due to its high fat and calorie content
Mozzarella is an Italian favourite, but it's not a good substitute for cheddar due to its high fat and calorie content
While mozzarella is popular in Italy, it's not the only cheese the country has to offer. Parmigiano-Reggiano, for example, is available across Italy, with the most varieties found in the region of Emilia-Romagna. Rome's answer to Parmigiano-Reggiano is pecorino romano, a sheep's milk cheese that matures relatively quickly and has an intense taste. It's considered to be the highest quality pecorino cheese, with a salty bite. Other varieties include pecorino sardo from Sardinia, local specialties from Sicily and Tuscany, and pecorino pepato with fresh peppercorns, if you're looking for something zesty.
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Grana Padano is a hard cheese made from cow's milk. It's similar to Parmesan but milder and softer
Grana Padano is a hard cheese made from cow's milk. It looks like Parmesan, but it's milder and softer. This is because it only needs to age for a minimum of nine months, whereas Parmesan is aged for longer. Grana Padano is a good substitute for cheddar in recipes such as creamy polenta.
Parmesan, or Parmigiano-Reggiano, is another hard Italian cheese. It's made from sheep's milk and matures relatively quickly. It has an intense taste. Parmesan is often grated over dishes such as spaghetti.
Mozzarella is another popular Italian cheese in the UK. It's a soft, creamy cheese that's high in fat and calories. It's often paired with fresh salad or sprinkled on top of cooked dishes.
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Parmigiano-Reggiano is a sheep's milk cheese that matures quickly and has an intense taste
In Italy, sheep are vital in the creation of some of the country's most popular cheeses. Pecorinos, named after the Italian word for sheep, Pecora, are produced in a variety of different regions, including Lombardy, Lazio, Sicily and Sardinia. The most common type of this cheese is Pecorino Romano, which is often used as an alternative to Parmesan.
Mozzarella is another Italian favourite. Burrata, which is made from a mix of Mozzarella and cream, has a buttery texture and a creamy taste. However, it is high in both fat and calories, so it is not a good substitute for Cheddar.
Grana Padano is another hard cheese made from cow's milk. It needs to age for a minimum of nine months, resulting in a milder and softer cheese than Parmesan.
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Pecorino Romano is a hard, salty cheese made from sheep's milk. It's often used as an alternative to Parmesan
Pecorino Romano is a hard, salty cheese made from sheep's milk. It is often used as an alternative to Parmesan. The name 'pecorino' means 'ovine' or 'of sheep' in Italian. It is a sheep milk cheese that is white in colour and usually more salty than Parmesan.
Pecorino Romano is considered to be the highest quality of the pecorino cheeses, with a salty bite. It is a hard and crumbly cheese with a granular texture, which makes it perfect for grating. It has a strong, sharp, and salty flavour with a slightly nutty undertone. It is aged for a minimum of five months, although some versions can be aged for a year or more, resulting in a more intense flavour.
Pecorino Romano is produced in Sardinia, Lazio, and the Tuscan Province of Grosseto. It is one of the oldest cheese varieties and enjoys a strong reputation not only in Italy but also around the world. It is made from pasture-raised, skimmed sheep's milk.
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Burrata is made from a mix of mozzarella and cream. It's buttery and creamy, but not a good cheddar substitute due to its high fat and calorie content
Burrata is a buttery Italian cheese made from a mix of mozzarella and cream. Its creamy texture and taste make it a luxurious extra to sprinkle on top of cooked dishes or pair with a fresh salad. However, it is not a good substitute for cheddar due to its high fat and calorie content.
If you're looking for an Italian cheese to replace cheddar in a recipe, Grana Padano is a hard cheese made from cow's milk that can be aged for a minimum of nine months, resulting in a milder and softer flavour than Parmesan.
In Italy, sheep's milk cheeses are also popular, with Pecorino Romano being the most common variety. This hard, salty cheese is often used as an alternative to Parmesan and can be grated over dishes.
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Frequently asked questions
Mozzarella is an Italian cheese that is similar to cheddar.
Mozzarella is a soft, white cheese made from cow's milk. It is often used on pizzas and in salads.
Other Italian cheeses that are similar to cheddar include Parmigiano-Reggiano, Gorgonzola, and Grana Padano.
Parmigiano-Reggiano is a hard, granular cheese made from cow's milk. It is often used as a topping for pasta dishes.
Gorgonzola is a blue cheese made from cow's milk. It has a strong, pungent flavour and a creamy texture.
