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Asiago Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to Asiago
Asiago is another manifestation of Italy's cheese-making legacy. It compares favorably to hard cheeses such as Parmagiano-Reggiano and Romano. Here's everything you need to know about Asiago, as a snack for happy hour, as an appetizer, or as an addition to recipes or salads:
About Asiago
Made from unpasteurized cow's milk, Asiago is a sharp, full-flavored cheese with a salty finish. Fresh Asiago presents with a thin natural yellow rind and almost has the texture and look of Swiss cheese as noted by its small holes across the face. Connoisseurs describe the texture as having a consistency of a firm sponge cake. It can be shredded using a grater, sold whole, or sliced.
This cheese falls into two general categories, based on how long they take to produce:
- Fresh, also known as Asiago Pressato, comes from whole milk and is aged about a month. This variety is soft, smooth, and milder.
- Aged, also known as Asiago D'allevo, falls into three sub-types. These are Mezzano, which is aged for 3-8 months; Vecchio, aged for 9-18 months; and Stravecchio, aged for 18 months to 2 years.
Taste and texture vary depending on the length of aging. Asiago Mezzano is small and compact and tastes sweet; Vecchio has a taste that is on the bitter side with a harder texture; Stravecchio is spicy and crumbly.
Asiago also has a rich history. It takes its name from the Asiago region of Italy, where it has been made for more than a century. The cheese was originally made from goat's milk.
How long does Asiago last?
Asiago, like all hard cheese, has a limited shelf life and will not last forever. The good news is that hard cheeses generally have a lower moisture content, which means they typically have a longer shelf life than soft cheeses. Shelf life also varies whether the cheese has been cut into or is in its original processed form. One way to avoid problems with shelf life is to buy in small quantities.
The shelf life of Asiago depends on whether the package has been opened, what form it is in, and how it is being stored. The best starting point is to be aware of the "use by" date on the packages you purchase. Generally speaking, hard cheeses such as Asiago will last 2-4 months in a refrigerator unopened, and about 3-6 weeks after opening. Hard cheeses can be stored in a freezer and last from 6 to 8 months.
Asiago Near Me
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FAQs about Asiago
One serving of Asiago consists of one ounce of cheese and contains 130 calories, according to its Food and Drug Administration labeling. It provides a rich source of calcium and protein -- an estimated 20 percent and 14 percent, respectively, of recommended daily allowances. One serving also includes 11 grams of fat. The cheese is negligible for carbohydrates.
Asiago has a large number of culinary applications. Some believe it is best used when grated and sprinkled as a topping onto pizza, on salads, or used in various recipes for breads, salads, pastas, or soups. It can also be sliced or cubed and served as a snack or appetizer at happy hours or cocktail receptions with pretzels or crackers. It pairs nicely with hard cider or fruity beers, pilsners, or Belgian ales. If you prefer wine, consider a Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Sauvignon Blanc.
Depending on your immediate needs, you may be able to substitute other types of cheeses in recipes or as toppings for Asiago with good results. A few suggestions to consider include:
- Parmagiano-Reggiano, perhaps the best known of all Italian cheeses. While this is sometimes generically referred to as Parmesan within the United States, the two are very different. Parmagiano-Reggiano is a hard cheese that can be eaten or used in recipes in sliced, grated, or chunked form. It is often described as having a fruity or nutty taste.
- Pecorino Romano is a hard, salty Italian cheese that is most often shredded or grated and used in salads, soups, or other recipes. It is sharper, with more of a tangy aftertaste than Asiago. In contrast to other cheeses, Pecorino Romano is made from goat's milk.
- GranaPadano, a hard cheese with a similarly rich legacy with origins dating back to 12th-century monks. It is rich, tangy, and evokes a slightly nuttier taste.
Italian-made cheeses are famous around the world. Whether you are looking for Asiago for a recipe, or a Charcuterie board for entertaining, you can save time using the Instacart app. Fill your cart with your grocery needs. Instacart shoppers will do the shopping for you and deliver them to your house in as little as 2 hours!