Cheeses from Italy, France, Spain and Greece

Cheeses from Italy, France, Spain and Greece

by Lotti Abraham, Cheese Purchaser, Nob Hill store

Provolone is a sharp, semi-hard cheese great for sandwiches. Sheep's milk favorites include Rustico Red Pepper and Rustico Black Pepper, both delightful additions to salads.

Italy's infamous grating cheeses: Locatelli Romano and Pecorino Romano are prepackaged for your convenience, adding zest to any sauce or pizza.

However, our authentic Reggiano Parmesan is truly savory. As one of our veteran cheese queens at Nob Hill, Katie Simmons, states, "I use it every day on pasta, eggs, salads, steamed veggies, sandwiches — it's as ubiquitous as garlic is in my kitchen."

Other favorites displayed in the cheese case are Ricotta Salata and Italian Fontina, which is a great substitute for mozzarella when making pizza, according to Emily Freedman, our newest addition to the Nob Hill Cheese Department.

France, of course, has earned a reputation for its cheeses, wines, and other passions ranging from literature to love.

Raw milk cheeses, whether from sheep or cow, are perfect selections for vegetarians as they are loaded with vitamin B-12.

Tomme de Savoie and Morbier are raw cow milk's cheeses and Ossau Iraty, one of the world's oldest and most delicious cheeses, is a raw sheep's milk cheese. They are available at both stores.

For those who prefer creamier styles, Camemberts and Bries, in plain, herb, or pepper flavors, are excellent for appetizers or a snack.

Annette Palmer, our cheese clerk extraordinaire at the Valley store, prefers Fromager d'Affinois. "It's a creamy, buttery brie that goes good with anything!"

Our goat brie, Le Peilloute, and our sheep brie, Le Berger de Rocastin, are also highly recommended for their richness. Pyrenees with Peppercorn and Port Salut are some of Emily's favorite French cheeses.

"Port Salut is an excellent melting cheese, making the best grilled cheese sandwiches — and apples are a nice complement to the peppercorn cheese."

Smoked over hickory coals in traditional French style, Rambol remains an all-time favorite at La Montanita. St. Andre, a triple cream cheese, is a smooth touch to any special occasion.

And our aged Bucheron is most aptly described by Katie as possessing "…extremely high-quality flavor."

Highly rewarding on their own or grated onto vegetables, sheep's milk cheeses from Spain include Manchego, aged 3 and 12 months, and Zamarano, aged 1 year.

Mild, yet tangy sensation, Manouri is also a sheep's milk cheese, but from Greece. A semi-soft texture, with pure white coloring, it can be used in pasta dishes, hot or cold.

And so, whether you need to entertain, find a quick snack or feed your family, the cheeses of France, Italy, Spain and Greece are a delectable bunch from which to choose.

La Montanita Cheese Departments at Nob Hill and Valley are more than willing to slice the appropriate cheese to match your needs!