Top 10 Sicilian Natural Rind Cheeses

One of the oldest cheeses produced in Europe, Pecorino Siciliano is a semi-cooked, hard cheese, made with raw, whole milk from various sheep breeds reared all across the island of Sicily. Easily distinguished by the reed woven basket pattern on its rind, this type of Pecorino has a pronounced herbal aroma, and a well-balanced piquant flavor, which tends to become stronger as the cheese ripens. It is available in following varieties: Tuma, Primo Sale, Secondo Sale and Stagionato. Both fresh and semi-matured Pecorino Siciliano are great as table cheeses, typically served with bread and olives, while the more matured versions are especially good for grating and adding flavor to various pasta dishes.Expand

Just as the name might indicate, Ragusano originates from the provinces of Ragusa as well as the neighboring Siracusa, and it is one of the oldest cheeses produced in Sicily, first mentioned in the early 1500s. This semi-hard cheese is made from whole milk from the free-range grazing Modicana cows, and produced with the so-called pasta filata technique (stretched curd). Originally known by the name of Caciocavallo, in times where milk from other breeds is used due to the scarcity of Modicana milk, the cheese is also called Cosacavaddu Ibleo or Cosacavaddu Rausanu. Ragusano is sold in rectangular blocks, at different stages of aging. The young, fresh Ragusano tastes sweet, pleasant and delicate; and it is traditionally eaten as a table cheese, while the ones ripened for more than 6 months tend to become spicier with age, a bit harder and more suitable for grating. There's also a smoked version called Ragusano Affumicato. All of them pair particularly well with full-bodied red wines and aged dark beers.Expand

Pecorino pepato is an Italian variety of Pecorino hailing from Sicily. The cheese is made from raw sheep's milk and ages from 2 to 4 months. Underneath the natural rind, the texture is flaky and creamy, dotted with black peppercorns that run throughout the paste. The aroma is spicy, while the flavors are salty, tangy, lemony, and peppery. Pecorino pepato is often used as a table cheese, but it can also be grated over salads, polenta, or risotto. If eaten as it is, serve it with fatty cured meats and a glass of bold red wine on the side.Expand

Produced on Sicily and Sardinia, Primo sale is an Italian cheese made from sheep's milk. Its texture is crunchy, with irregular eyes, while the aromas are pungent and the flavors are herbaceous, slightly tangy, and milky. It is believed that primo sale was mentioned in Homer's Odysseus as the cheese made by Cyclops. The name of the cheese means first salt, referring to the early stages of its maturation. In Sicily, before the cheese is salted, it is called Tumazzu, and after the first salting it's called primo sale. After the maturation, it is called Canestrato, although some sources claim that it might even be called Vastedda. Apart from the plain primo sale, there are also versions flavored with peppercorns. It is recommended to slice the cheese into thin layers and dress it with olive oil, pepper, salt, and mint.Expand

Traditionally produced in the Sicilian province of Enna which is nestled in the lush Dittaino Valley, Piacentinu Ennese is a pressed, hard cheese made with raw, whole sheep’s milk, with the addition of saffron and black peppercorns. The flavor of this cheese ranges from mild and slightly sweet to medium piquant and slightly pungent, depending on its age, and it has a pronounced aroma of saffron. Piacentinu Ennese is enjoyed either as a table cheese or used as an ingredient in preparing various recipes such as herb-stuffed lamb meat called Ciarbiduzzo Abbuttunàtu, a typical dish from Enna. It's also fantastic for grilling and often used with bucatini pasta.Expand

Maiorchino is a traditional cheese hailing from Sicilia. The cheese is usually made from whole sheep's milk and either goat's or cow's milk. It's produced from February to June, and it ages from about 6-8 months to a maximum of 24 months. Maiorchino is very large in size and can weigh from 10 to 20 kilos. During the production process, the cheese curds are poked with a thin stick (minacino) in order to drain out the whey, and later on the cheese is immersed in the whey. The wheels are rubbed with salt and olive oil until ready for consumption. The paste is compact, white to pale yellow in color. The cheese is often used as a table cheese and it's paired with red wine. Traditionally, Maiorchino is linked to an ancient game called Maiorchina during the Carnival season, when the contestants roll the aged wheels along the streets of Novara di Sicilia.Expand

This Italian cheese is also dubbed 'the lost cheese of Sicily' because it's produced by a single cheesemaker named Salvatore Passalaqua. Aged for more than 6 months, the cheese is made from raw cow's milk according to an ancient recipe that the cheesemaker found in his closet when he moved into a new home near Palermo. The rind of this hard cheese is coated with crushed peppercorns, and underneath it, the texture is creamy and crumbly. The flavors are earthy and milky with a sharp finish. Flavorful, but not salty, Tuma Persa can be used as a replacement for provolone and it's recommended to pair it with Sicilian wines such as Nero d'Avola, Passito di Pantelleria, and Malvasia Lipari.Expand

Provola dei Nebrodi is an Italian pasta filata cheese hailing from Sicily. The cheese is made from raw cow's milk and it comes in a few versions – fresca (fresh, less than 30 days), semi-stagionata (partially aged, from 30 to 120 days), stagionata (aged for more than 120 days), sfoglia (flaky, at least 5 months), and con limone verde (with green lemon, at least 90 days). Underneath the thin and smooth rind, the texture of the fresca is soft, while the other versions have a texture that's semi-hard to hard, except for sfoglia, which has a flaky texture. The cheese can have small eyes dispersed throughout the paste. When fresh, the flavors are sweet, delicate, and pleasant, while the aged versions have a stronger flavor. The aromas are grassy, hay-like, mushroomy, and acidic, and the con limone verde version has a citrusy aroma.Expand

This unique Italian hard cheese is typically found only in specialty shops. It originates from the Belice Valley in Sicily, hence the name. This hard cheese is made from sheep’s milk with the addition of local olives (Oliva da Tavola Nocellara del Belice). The production of Belicino started in the period after WWII. Pair the cheese with strongly-flavored fruit such as oranges and pomegranates.Expand

Calcagno is a traditional cheese produced on Sardinia and Sicily. The cheese is made from sheep's milk and ages from 3 to 10 months. It's produced by adding black peppercorns to the curd, and then the cheeses are drained in baskets and salted. The baskets leave a distinct pattern on the rind. As it matures, the texture becomes grainy and flaky, while the flavors become pungent, spicy, and salty, with the typical flavor of sheep's milk. When young, it's recommended to serve Calcagno with roasted peppers, and when aged, it's usually grated over pasta or vegetables. Pair it with a glass of Torgiano Rosso for the best experience.Expand