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Provolone

Semisoft provolone, an all-purpose table, cooking, and dessert cheese, is a familiar feature in “subs” and “hoagies.”

Provolone is a mild semisoft cheese well-suited for grating and cooking; it’s also a fine choice for sandwiches and makes a good accompaniment for fruit in desserts.

Varieties

Italian-style aged provolone is a hard, sharp-flavored cheese used for grating. American-style semisoft Provolone is most often enjoyed in sandwiches.

American-style provolone is produced in the cheese factories of Wisconsin, and is typically sold in delis and supermarkets in a 9- to 12-pound (4 to 5.4 kg) tube intended for slicing. It resembles American-style mozzarella, and can be used on pizza and in lasagna and other casserole dishes.

Buying and storing tips

Refrigerated, semisoft cheeses like provolone can be stored for up to two weeks. Harder cheeses can be stored longer.

Availability

Provolone is widely available in health food stores, specialty stores, and markets.

Preparation, uses, and tips

Aged provolone is wonderful on an antipasti tray with preserved peppers, fresh tomatoes, meats, olives, and other savory accompaniments. Semisoft provolone is used on Italian-style sandwiches (the forerunners of the hoagie or submarine). It grills and melts well, and is often combined with mozzarella as a pizza topping.

Nutritional Highlights

Provolone, 1 slice (1 oz.) (28g)
Calories: 100
Protein: 7.2g
Carbohydrate: 0.61g
Total Fat: 7.5g
Fiber: 0.0g
*Excellent source of: Calcium (214mg)

*Foods that are an “excellent source” of a particular nutrient provide 20% or more of the Recommended Daily Value. Foods that are a “good source” of a particular nutrient provide between 10 and 20% of the Recommended Daily Value.