The winter holidays are basically the best time of year in the cheese section at Trader Joe’s. Now, everyone has their year round favorites — I’m looking at you, Unexpected Cheddar — but there are a few cheeses in store right now that you gotta check out. Fromage Pave, Kaamte Gouda Style, and the 40-month aged Parmigiano Reggiano.
What’s so great about ’em? Well, the Fromage Pave is one of my all-time faves. It’s a little square of brie-type cheese thats amazing on La Panzanella rosemary crackers (not from TJ’s). At room temp it leans toward the runnier side. I usually end up cutting off one side of the rind and digging the cracker in there. It’s only available at TJ’s during the holidays, but there’s speculation that it’s the same as Fromage d’Affinois. And I’ve been able to get that at other times of year at the Murray’s Cheese counter in my local grocery store. Of course, the TJ’s price is better.
Kaamte Gouda Style is a great eating cheese perfect for all the charcuterie and cheese boards you’re gonna be throwing together. The cheese is buttery and sharp and I just wish the wedges were a little bit bigger! I also used it as a second cheese on pizza. Delicious. It’d also be good in grilled cheese.
Finally, the 40 month aged Parmigano Reggiano. I generally don’t buy parm at TJ, just because I like a chunk that’s freshly cut. But the flavor on this 40 month aged is pretty nice, and it’s another seasonal one. Make sure you pick a chunk with a rind about the size you’d throw into a pot of soup. It’s fab in minestrone. More on what the deal is with varying ages for Parmigianto Reggiano.
Check out some other We Tried’s from Trader Joe’s: