Mascarpone (or Mascherpone)

Originally a cheese produced at Abbiategrasso, near Milan, this rich cheese is now produced in other areas of Lombardy as well as Piedmont and Emilia. Mascarpone is made from the cream of cow’s milk and is produced only in cold weather months, since it spoils easily. It is a cheese often served as a dessert, mixed with brandy, coffee, or cocoa. In pasta dishes, mascarpone adds richness to anything it touches. Its color ranges from pure white to light gold; it is like rich butter in consistency and has about 127 calories per ounce.