Roncal ✦

Roncal

What it is

In 1981 Roncal became the first Spanish cheese granted a denominación de origen. The valley won the pasture behind it in 882, when King Sancho García gave its seven villages the right to walk their flocks down to the Bardenas for the winter — a transhumance still walked today.

In the kitchen

Drier than Idiazábal and never smoked, it crumbles rather than slices when cold. Take it out an hour ahead, cut it thick with a knife rather than a wire, and put quince paste beside it.

Goes with

Quince Walnut Honey Olive oil Almond Pear Red wine vinegar Fig

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