Prescinsêua cheese

Prescinsêua (pronounced [pɾeʃiŋˈsøːa]) is a variety of cheese typical of the province of Genoa in the region of Liguria in Italy. In Italian it is also referred to as quagliata or cagliata. It is recognised by P.A.T. (Prodotti Agroalimentari Tradizionali).[1]

Prescinsêua
Other namesQuagliata or Cagliata (Italian)
Country of originItaly
RegionLiguria
TownGenoa, Savona, La Spezia
TextureHalf solid, Half liquid
CertificationP.A.T.

It has a consistency halfway between yogurt and ricotta cheese. It has a fairly sour flavor and is used in the preparation of a number of typical Ligurian dishes, such as pansoti (similar to ravioli but filled with vegetables), focaccia al formaggio, and many savory pies, including Genoese Easter pie (torta pasqualina).[2][3]

It is obtained through the process of acidification of milk: from it is derived a sour milk product, which is let rest in plastic or glass containers.[4]

Because it spoils easily, prescinsêua cheese is not commonly sold beyond Genoa and the eastern part of Liguria, but its flavor and consistency can be approximated by mixing ricotta cheese with yogurt or sour cream.[5]

It is often served for breakfast, with small amounts of sugar, honey or fruit preserve added.[3]

Etymology
Pansoti (a vegetarian filled ravioli from Genoa)

The Genoese term Prescinsêua derives from rennet (presû in Genoese) extracted from the abomasum of suckling calves.

History

It is first mentioned in 1383. Since 1413, a law enforced by the Repubblica di Genova stated that this cheese could have been the only gift which could have been made by the people of Genoa to the Doge.[6]

The product is thought to have been brought in Liguria from the Far East.[7] Since the medieval times, it has been produced in Val Fontanabuona (a valley above Camogli and Rapallo), with cows coming from Val d'Aveto.[7]

In the past, it was mainly used as ingredient for focaccia al formaggio (tipo Recco), but nowadays, not being widely produced, prescinsêua is substituted by stracchino or crescenza (a similar cheese to stracchino cheese).[7]

Preparation

While in the past it was obtained through the processing of whey, now it is obtained starting from whole milk. Two liters of milk are let resting in a pot for 48 hours. Afterwards, 500ml of such milk are put in another pot and heated to 40–50 °C (104–122 °F), rennet is added (about 5g). The two milk pots are joined and let rest for four more hours.[8][9]

Cultural Influence
Focaccia al Formaggio (Recco Style)

The cheese product was mentioned by the Genoese music group Buio Pesto in their song "Prescinsêua" part of their 2010 album Pesto.[10]

See also

References
  1. "Ventesima revisione dell'elenco dei prodotti agroalimentari tradizionali". Ministero delle Politiche Agricole Alimentari e Forestali.
  2. "Prescinsêua (Quagliata) P.A.T." Formaggio.it (in Italian). Retrieved 2020-12-25.
  3. Finley, Amy (2011). Genoa Travel Adventures. Hunter Publishing, Inc. p. 117. ISBN 9781588437716 – via Google Books.
  4. "Prescinseua formaggio genovese". La Cucina Italiana (in Italian). 2015-12-11. Retrieved 2020-12-25.
  5. Giannatempo, Laura (2006). A Ligurian Kitchen: Recipes and Tales from the Italian Riviera. Hippocrene Books. p. 47. ISBN 9780781811712.
  6. "Prescinseua Genovese: Ricette, Calorie, Come Farla in Casa". Ricette di Cucina e Articoli su Gastronomia, Prodotti Tipici e Territorio. (in Italian). 2016-10-24. Retrieved 2020-12-25.
  7. "Prescinseua formaggio genovese". La Cucina Italiana (in Italian). 2015-12-11. Retrieved 2020-12-25.
  8. "Le ricette di cucina di Mangiare Bene - Prescinseua". 2008-10-13. Archived from the original on 2008-10-13. Retrieved 2020-12-25.
  9. "Le ricette di cucina di Mangiare Bene - Prescinseua". 2018-04-09. Archived from the original on 2018-04-09. Retrieved 2022-10-11.
  10. "DISCOGRAFIA – CD PESTO | Buiopesto" (in Italian). Retrieved 2020-12-25.
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