From the Cheese Portraits series.

This wheel of wonder was a gift sent from a new acquaintance, Anna Gallo, who's family business imports various foods including wonderful Italian cheeses at Savello USA. I love this cheese; it's so fun to paint.

"Primo Sale" translates as "first salt" . It's a young sheep's milk cheese made in Sicily. Basket aged for a month or so, they have a sweet aroma and fresh flavor. There's a variety of versions, including some with truffles and one with pistachios(!) and this is aptly named "fantasia" as it has an assortment of olives, arugula, and peppers that give it bit of zesty flavor and makes for a source of endless beautiful compositions from each slice or wedge cut from the wheel.

It makes me think of some version of a cheese snow glob, but when you shake it, it's olives and slivers of greens, oranges and yellow revealed in still moments per slice.

Origin: Italy

Price: $800