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Scamorza Cheese for Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to Scamorza
Italian cheeses are generally characterized by their texture and degree of hardness or softness. Soft cheeses such as Scamorza offer distinct culinary delights. It can be used as a topping, added to recipes, eaten as a tasty snack, or even a meal itself. Here's everything you need to know about Scamorza:
About Scamorza
Scamorza is a semi-soft Italian cheese that is commonly compared to mozzarella. It is typically noted for its smokey flavor;Â Scamorza can be sold in plain or fully smoked varieties. The smoked cheese version is commonly known as "Scamorzi Affumicate" and has unique characteristics of its own.
The cheese is also described as having a fresh, milky aroma with a firm texture with other characteristics that make it stringy and chewy. Scamorza is made from both cow's milk, or a mixture of cow and goat milk.
In Italian, Scamorza means "beheaded," which is a creative way to describe the appearance of the cheese when aged. Scamorza presents itself in a unique pear shape and can take on the appearance of a mini-snowperson -- one small ball on top of a larger ball.Â
Like many kinds of cheese, Scamorza traces its origins to southern Italy, where it has been produced for several hundred years.Â
How long does Scamorza last?
All cheeses have a limited shelf life. Those with less moisture, such as Scamorza, tend to last longer than harder cheeses. Like all cheeses, Scamorza must be refrigerated; for best results, keep the cheese at about 39 degrees. Various cheeses decline at different rates depending on how they are stored and whether they are opened or unopened. Keep in mind that it's best to buy it in small quantities and consume it quickly because cheese is perishable. Â
Unopened, Scamorza and other softer cheeses last for about 2 weeks -- shorter when opened. Stored in a freezer, soft cheeses can typically last for 4-6 months. Keep watch on the use-by date on your original package to make decisions that are right for you. Also, watch your cheeses closely. You can cut away mold in some cases, but when in doubt, you should dispose of excessively moldy cheese.
Scamorza Near Me
Buy your favorite Scamorza online with Instacart. Order Scamorza from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
FAQs about Scamorza
Scamorza is considered a cousin of mozzarella, largely because the two kinds of cheese are made similarly. Both are produced in small-to-medium-sized pear shapes and hung by strings as part of the aging process. Both are also in the semi-soft cheese category, made using the same type of cow's milk. Both also hail from the same region in southern Italy and are well respected and marketed worldwide.
The two have differences to keep in mind as well. Scamorza contains less moisture and has a smokier taste. Mozzarella is usually described as having a milkier taste. Scamorza is also slightly firmer as a cheese.
Interestingly, Scamorza can serve as a main dish itself because of its smokey taste. Slice a smoked Scamorza into healthy cross-wise portions, then coat it with extra virgin olive oil. Top the cheese with some optional prosciutto and bake it at 350 degrees for a short period until a crust develops across the top. It can also be pan-fried. Consider adding tomatoes, oregano, and arugula. Many also enjoy Scamorza as a grilled cheese sandwich.
Scamorza has many other uses. It works as a delicious cubed addition to salads or as a topping on pizza. If served during happy hour or a cocktail reception, pair with a glass of Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio. If you prefer beer, try it with a Kolsch or lager-style beer. You can also slice, shred or grate Scamorza for use in plates of pasta, potato dishes, and risotto.
Scamorza is unique in size, shape, and taste. But that doesn't mean you don't have options. Depending on your situation, you may be able to lean on one of these alternatives:
- Mozzarella, which is aged in the same way as Scamorza and is also in the category of semi-soft cheeses. Note that mozzarella will have a milkier, milder taste than Scamorza cheese. Scamorza also lasts longer as it has less moisture than mozzarella.
- Provolone, another white, semi-soft pear-shaped cheese. Provolone is sometimes made and sold as a smoked cheese, making it a potential substitute for Scamorza.
- Gouda/cheddar. Though gouda and cheddar fall in the semi-hard category, they can be appropriately substituted in recipes and have similar melting qualities as Scamorza.
Scamorza is one of several Italian cheeses available from groceries and supermarkets through the Instacart app. You can also use Instacart to purchase other delicious cheeses. Let Instacart shoppers make your day easier by shopping for all your grocery needs. We will do our best to get your groceries to your house in as little as 2 hours!