Pennsylvania Noble

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

When I contemplated starting to eat locally made food, my first thought was ‘What about the cheese?’ Oh sure, I know where to buy locally made mozzarella...and I can make my own ricotta cheese and fromage blanc...but what about cheddar?  What would I do to satisfy my craving for good cheddar?

As luck would have it, I was running around Reading Terminal Market one day when a man from Green Valley Dairy was pimping some of his Pennsylvania Noble.  From that day forward I knew I would never have to worry about my cheese cravings.  While it’s not super sharp, the “cheddar style” cheese has a slight nuttiness and a good strong taste going for it.  Plus, it’s organic and made from the raw milk of grass fed, pastured cows.  And cave aged for seven months.  It’s absolutely fantastic with slices of apple or pear and a glass of Shiraz.

In addition to being available at the Fair Food Farmstand at Reading Terminal, you can also find PA Noble at DiBruno Bros., Chestnut Hill Cheese Shop, and online at Green Valley Dairy.

On a related note, I see that Green Valley will soon have a Brie de Meaux-style cheese available.  I can hardly contain my excitement! One can only hope it emits the eye-watering stench of dirty feet of real Brie de Meaux.  Be still my heart!

Hot and Sweet Chevre

Friday, August 03, 2007

If I were stranded on a desert island and could only take along one kind of food, it would be cheese.  I love cheese above all else, which makes me the black sheep of the family because my people have a serious sweet tooth issue.  It’s possible, though, that Shellbark Hollow Farm’s Hot and Sweet Chevre could make them see the light - this locally made cheese is absolute perfection.

Ignore what you think goat cheese tastes like.  Some of it can be a little chalky in texture, and many people don’t like goat cheese because it’s got a bit of a tang to it.  Maybe it’s the locally produced raw and organic goat milk or maybe it’s purebred Nubian goats cared for lovingly by the family who runs Shellbark Hollow Farm - this goat cheese is light but tart, and unbelievably good.  When you add in the hot peppers, it’s irresistible!

The Fair Food Farmstand at Reading Terminal Market sells Shellbark Farm products, and I’m also told that the White Dog Cafe often has the cheese on their menu.  Do what you have to in order to get your hands on some.