What is strong ricotta
Strong ricotta is a perfect spreadable cheese for those who love strong flavours; in the southern regions, it is also called ricotta Schia or ricotta scanta, that is, burning! Unlike ricotta salata, which is grated, ricotta forte is spread, usually on bread accompanied with an anchovy; you can also add the tip of a teaspoon to tomato sauce, or use it to flavor fried panzerotti. But for uses, we refer you to the paragraph "recipes with strong ricotta".
Many names for a unique product among Apulian dairy products
Ricotta forte, also known as ricotta scante, is a traditional Apulian cheese with an intense and spicy flavour. In Puglia, this particular dairy product is called in various ways, reflecting the different dialectal nuances of the various areas of the region. Some call it acidic ricotta for its penetrating taste, while others prefer the term ricotta crush, which evokes its ability to "crash" the palate with its strength. There is also no shortage of denominations of ricotta scanta or ricotta squanta, all variants that testify to the importance of this cheese in the gastronomic culture of Puglia and its characteristic flavour. Whatever the name used, strong ricotta remains an essential ingredient for many traditional recipes, giving a unique and inimitable character to the dishes in which it is used.
General information and warnings on strong ricotta
Strong ricotta is a product with a very pungent and acidic aroma and flavour. If you have never tasted it and when you open it for the first time you feel overwhelmed by a really strong and pungent aroma, don't be scared... it hasn't gone bad, on the contrary, the acidity is precisely its characteristic! If, however, you have already tasted it but remembered it being different, it is because it is a natural and artisanal product which often undergoes slight differences by virtue of the time of year, the type of grazing and feeding of the flocks, the climate, the area of Puglia in which it was produced. Give yourself the right time to become familiar with this extraordinary product, and experiment with different recipes to combine it as you see fit.
Recipes with strong ricotta
Traditional uses of strong ricotta
- on bread with anchovies
- dissolved in tomato sauce
- to flavor Apulian potato panzerotti
