Canestrato Pugliese is one of the finest cheeses produced in the Puglia region, and so good the European Union has thrown a protection order on it and labelled it 'denominazione d'origine protetta'.

It is made with milk from sheep grazing only in the province of Foggia and a handful of comunes near Bari.

Unfortunately, due to the high cost of production and the change in public tastes, the amount of the cheese being produced has decreased. We advise you buy some now or check out this fabulous website of the Pugliese Caseificio Cooperative based in the province of Bari.

It is a hard cheese, compact yet crumbly with a deep yellow crust. It has an intense flavor and is ideally grated to accompany other regional dishes.

Legend informs us that the cheese is a symbol for the change of the seasons as it was originally produced when the shepherds started descending the Abruzzi slopes at the beginning of the autumn as part of the twice yearly transumanza.