My wife picked up some fresh ricotta cheese from Calandra Cheese market on Arthure Avenue this weekend. I love to spread good fresh ricotta on a slice of Italian bread, drizzle it with extra-virgin olive oil and sprinkle some coarse sea slat and freshly ground pepper on top. I only do this when I have good quality fresh ricotta, and I have not been able to find any place in Connecticut that makes their own, all I see is the plastic tubs of Polly-O and such.
I have tried my hand at making my own fresh ricotta, and while the results have been good, I just really haven’t been able to get into making it too often, I would much rather find a good source and buy it. If you are interested in trying to make your own, below are some links to recipes for three different methods that I have found. If anybody knows of a good source for fresh ricotta in Connecticut, especially Fairfield County, please let me know in the comments.
9 Responses
I haven’t been to Arthur Avenue since I was a kid. My father grew up right near there. I can’t find fresh stuff close to where I live either. If you don’t get any “good leads”, try a gallon of whole milk (pasteurized is ok, but not ultrapasteurized) and a quart of buttermilk heated to 175 degrees. It’ll separate at that point and then do the cheesecloth thing.It doesn’t have the citrusy/vinegary taste that the others do. Good luck on your quest!
Anna, thanks for the suggestion, I will have to try that method out too, maybe it will be good enough to inspire to make it more myself.
I love fresh ricotta on toasted sourdough drizzled with honey.add dash cinnamon or lemon zest and a few flakes of kosher salt♥️
try liuzzi cheese in north haven
I’m reminded that great food pleasure doesn’t have to be complicated.
Never thought about trying to make my own ricotta. Going to give that a try …
You might want to try Villarina’s 551 West Putnam Ave. Cos Cob Greenwich (203) 422-0174. It’s the same Villarina’s as the one that’s in Crestwood NY. In Cos Cob they are on the corner of the Post Road and River Road. I know they make their one Mozzarella and some other specialties, but I’m not sure about the ricotta. Good luck!
Ricotta is one of my favorite Italian cheese. I like it very much!
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Hi Phil and Sandy – there is a farmers market in Westport on Saturdays right off of Saugutuck Ave (exit 17) – one of the vendors there has a farm in CT (maybe an hour away from here) and the closest thing I could ever find to ricotta was made by him. We know a woman who works with one of the farm owners there on Saturdays and that is how we ended up being lucky enough to taste this cheese. I’ll check in with her and see if I can get more details on if they are there in the winter more about the cheese . . .