Today, pecorino cheese continues to be awarded as a prize in town festivals, bingo games or raffles. A popular game in Umbria that dates back to the Middle Ages is called “ruzzolone”, a wheel-rolling contest that takes place in various rural villages. However, the wooden wheel is often substituted by an aged wheel of pecorino cheese. For example, this game is played in Spoleto along the stretch of road that runs from Tre Madonne to Cortaccione. In fact, in the 18th century the baron of Spoleto named Ancajani, noted that the cheese makers were usually the ones who used cheeses that were firm enough for the game.
Description
Semi-soft, barrel aged cheese made with sheep’s milk with a regular form. Weighs between 1 and 3 Kg.
Production area
Towns of: Città di Castello, Pietralunga, Gubbio, Scheggia e Pascelupo, Costacciaro, Sigillo, Fossato di Vico, Gualdo Tadino, Valfabbrica, Nocera Umbra, Valtopina, Foligno, Trevi, Norcia, Cascia, Sellano, Preci, Monteleone di Spoleto, Cerreto, Poggiodomo, Vallo di Nera, S.Anatolia di Narco, Scheggino, Montefranco, Arrone, Polino and Ferentillo.
