The ancient dairy tradition of Carovilli is one of its strong points. Scamorze (soft mild yellowish cheese pear shaped made from cow’s milk) and caciocavalli (matted curd from cow’s milk worked in hot water or whey tenpin shaped) represent a local and stable product but production of the “stracciata” need not be undervalued because most probably it is the typical product of the Highlands of Molise.
The “stracciata” appears as a wide flat strip folded over in linear fashion, at times also braided. The milk season strongly set conditions as to scent and color. In fact, the latter is susceptible to a color change which goes from extreme white to a yellowish hue in the spring and summer period meaning when cows graze among fertile fields of exceptional green mountains, a territory recognized by the UNESCO world heritage sites for its biodiversity.
Slightly salty and buttery on the outside, the inside instead is more consistent with piquant notes of rather pleasant milk flavor. Rightly owning to this dual difference in taste which is its strong point can we assert that our Farmhouse must never be without it. It is our custom to serve it with starters, together with cured meats, cold cuts or grilled vegetables. Different varieties of “stracciata” can be served with other products.
A return to ancient flavors and local traditions sees guests quite often requesting where they can purchase cheese to take back home and have friends and family members taste it. This makes us very proud as our local dairy craftsmanship and, indirectly, our territory are made known to others.
Whilst a fresh dairy product thus with a relatively short life period, the “stracciata” lasts a few days if well kept.
Unfortunately, it has not yet received the DOP (protected designation of origin PDO) or IGP (protected geographical indication PGI) recognition even though strongly linked to the territory of production. Luckily, a short distribution chain guarantees high quality and seasonal flavor easily appreciable to the palate.
Set upon discovering a place step by step to then taste morsels of what it offers is a surprise to the beauty of what is plain and wholesome. Welcome to Molise. Welcome to our natural setting!
