Parenica

{{Short description|Slovak traditional cheese}}

{{more footnotes|date=March 2013}}

File:Parenica.jpg

Parenica is a traditional Slovak cheese. Parenica is a semi-firm, non-ripening, semi-fat, steamed and usually smoked cheese, although a non-smoked version is also produced. Parenica is cream and yellow in color, which is darkened by steaming. The cheese is produced in strips, which are woven into snail-like spirals. Originally, in the 1800s, it was made from pure non-pasteurized sheep's milk. Modern varieties are also produced from cow's milk or milk mixtures.{{cite web |last1=Okram |first1=Julion |title=Modern varieties of a traditional parenica steamcheese |url=https://www.en.okram.fr/author/inspire/news/parenica |access-date=25 August 2021 |language=en |format=web page }} Typical cheese rolls weigh about 100 grams (0.1 kg / 0.2 pound / 3 oz).

The name comes from the Slovak word for steaming. Slovenská parenica is a protected trade name under the EU's protected geographical indication.{{Cite web |url=https://ec.europa.eu/info/food-farming-fisheries/food-safety-and-quality/certification/quality-labels/geographical-indications-register//pdf/ec_food_12502.pdf |title=Extract from the register of Protected Designation of Origin and Protected Geographical Indication |website=Europa}}