Halfway between my house and “up north,” is a little town called Westfield. I think most of the town’s excitement is out by the highway, because I think this is halfway for anyone going from here to there. The small group of buildings includes several businesses including a sit-down restaurant, a McDonalds, a Subway, a Burger King and the necessary gas station.
I usually stop there and head for the Amish store, a place filled with homemade noodles, candy, spices, jams and jellies. My purchase is usually a jar of honey for the fam.
But this last time I noticed something different – a package of something called bread cheese.
Instead of being a smooth yellow or creamy white, this cheese looked burnt. Curious, I asked the non-Amish clerk. She explained that unlike regular cheese, this cheese didn’t melt. She also explained that she would fry it and put it on bread and it was a favorite.
So I bought some.
Doing research, I discovered that the official name is: juustoleipä and it’s made from the milk of cows who have recently calved. Sometimes goat or reindeer milk is used too.
After the cheese is curdled it is baked or fried or grilled to give it char marks.
The bread part of the name is because it looks like toast.
So I brought it home and fried some (which you’re supposed to do). As promised, the cheese did not melt, but did become soft. I ate a couple pieces and then ate some more between crackers.
The cheese was mild with a smooth texture. I liked it a lot! I could understand why the non-Amish clerk at the Amish store liked it on bread.
I would give it an 8 out of 10. I think if someone did have a complaint about it, it would be that it doesn’t have a strong flavor.
If you see some at the Amish store, I’d recommend you try it.