A Suprising Find

Two weeks ago, on a Saturday, my girlfriend and I went to the Indianapolis Winter Farmers Market to see what was being offered.  I had been to farmers markets during the summer and fall months and I was interested in seeing what was being offered during the winter months.

I was pleasantly surprised by the wares being sold.  There were locally produced honey, free range eggs, organic herbs, organic free range beef and pork.  There were local caterers and restaurants selling their dishes.  I found some of them pleasantly delicious but I wasn't there to sample them.  I was interested in some of the fresh pasta for sale (chipolte flavored pasta).  I also purchased a well crafted large wooden cutting board that I now use all the time.

There were merchants selling their cheeses.  Connie first tried a Mennonite company that produced a rather nice sharp white cheddar and a very good red chili infused cheddar.  They tasted creamy and the sharp cheddar was a good as any cheddar I have ever had.  But the highlight of the market was the artisan goat cheese made by Giovanni Capezzuto of Sapori d’Italia. 

Sapori d’Italia is artisan cheese company located in Lexington, KY.  Giovanni Capezzuto learned his craft in his native Napoli Italy.  I tried his most aged cheese, over 2 years and it tasted and crumbled just like parmesan cheese.  In fact, if Giovanni hadn't told me it was a goat cheese, I would have sworn that it was parmesan.  Giovanni makes seven different types of cheeses.  I taste tested all of these and they are out of this world.  He takes great pride in the cheeses he makes and they all are made in the traditional Italian style.

Let me describe each of the cheeses Giovanni makes:

• Caciotta Alpina (also available in 6 month, and 1 year aged)
  This is a wonderful goat cheese, which has origins in the Northeast Italian Alps. Giovanni’s interpretation is lightly sharp and still very easy on the palate.
• Caciotta alle Erbe Alpina
  Giovanni encrusts his Alpina in classic, spontaneous Italian herbs before aging begins. Its texture is semi-creamy, with a subtle bouquet of aroma.
• Caciotta Dolce Classica
  This is a traditional Southern Italian goat cheese. It has a very soft touch on the palate. Its aging process provides a sweetness that complements the mellow goat accents.
• Caciotta alle Noci
  Walnuts are a natural combination for Giovanni's Dolce style cheese. Once aged, the walnuts provide a unique consistency to the texture. This is the ultimate complement to salads, and desserts.
• Caciotta al Peperoncino
  This bold sibling of Dolce Classica provides a dual layer of flavor. When first eaten, you get the soothing texture of Dolce Classica. As your palate starts to clear, you feel the warmth of our red pepper infusion.
• Caciotta al Pepe Nero
  The subtle taste of cracked black pepper is Southern Italian classic. It also provides a dual layered flavor, leaving a beautiful aroma of cracked pepper.
• Toma di Capra
  The original goat cheese, handed down over centuries. It has the texture of an aged cheese, but still maintains a creamy flavor that borders on buttery.

If you are interested in trying some of his cheeses, you can buy them at Whole Foods Markets in Louisville, Lexington, Cincinnati and Mason Ohio or at the Indy Winter Farmers Market through April 24th.  You can also order cheese online here.  I believe once you try one of Mr. Capezzuto's cheeses, you will want to try them all!