One of the most commonly used cheese ingredients in Italian cuisine is Ricotta! It is very diversified and is used in so many dishes. Therefore, we thought it would be great to discuss the ins and outs of this ingredient. At the end of this article, we hope you feel much more informed on Ricotta and why it has gained the notoriety it has today!
Origins
Ricotta first appeared in southern Italy more specifically in Sicily. This delicious cheese was first made by utilizing milk from sheep but became much more diverse later on. As time went on ricotta was made with cow and even goat’s milk! This cheese was then used in all sorts of dishes from savory pasta to sweet treats like cannolis and cheesecakes.
What is Ricotta?
Unlike other cheeses, ricotta cheese is made by recooking the whey. Whey is the byproduct of other cheeses. Meaning when you reheat the byproduct of delicious cheese like mozzarella or provolone you’ll end up with the amazing ricotta flavor we all love! In Italian the word ricotta means “recooked” which means it makes even more sense for our cheese to be named this!
Ricotta Cheese Diversity
The best part about ricotta cheese is that it is probably one of, if not the most diverse cheeses used in Italian cuisine. Depending on what animal your milk is sourced from you can completely control the flavor and texture of your cheese if you want it smoother or creamier!
Ricotta is also amazing for its ability to be used in savory and sweet dishes. If you want ravioli or lasagna ricotta cheese is a must-add ingredient. That being said even if you want a delicious sweet treat like cheesecake ricotta can get the job done too! Its diversity allows you to let your creative mind go wild whenever you decide to create your own Italian dish!
Ricotta Cheese at Bricco
A great place to visit in Boston, Massachusetts, for the best ricotta cheese dishes is Bricco. We have a large amount of Italian cuisine options that will simply blow your mind. If you want a different kind of cheesy dish we also have those available as well. No matter if you’re looking for a mozzarella or ricotta style of food we’ll have you covered. For the best Italian restaurant experience in Boston, MA, come visit Bricco or reserve a table today! If you’re interested in trying our ricotta dishes for a private event at our establishment contact our team now for even more information.