Montasio

Montasio

What it is

Benedictines at the abbey of Moggio Udinese were making it by the thirteenth century, when it still carried the name of the Carnia mountains rather than of Montasio. Frico is what Friuli does with the half-aged wheels: nothing but grated cheese in a pan, sometimes with potato and onion, cooked until it fuses and crisps.

In the kitchen

Frico wants the mezzano, five to ten months: younger cheese releases water and steams instead of frying, and a fully aged wheel has too little fat left to bind the lace.

Goes with

Potato Onion Stone-ground polenta Butter Speck Alto Adige Sage

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