The essentials
Pazzini's Parmigiano Reggiano bag, from the Italian anti-waste deli in Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, is a wedge of genuine Italian DOP Parmigiano Reggiano rescued from the bin and offered at a knock-down price. You know the one: the dotted-stencil rind, the golden paste that crunches between your teeth with those tiny crystals bursting open, the nutty, savoury aroma that fills the kitchen the moment it gets anywhere near the grater. The real deal. Not the anonymous powder from the supermarket shelf. And today, this king of cheeses lands in your bag for next to nothing, simply because we refuse to watch it end up in the trash. At Pazzini, an exceptional cheese quietly nearing its date isn't a product "past its prime": it's a treasure worth saving. You win all round, food waste loses.
What the basket contains
- 1 wedge of genuine Italian DOP Parmigiano Reggiano
- Rind stamped "PARMIGIANO REGGIANO" — authenticity guaranteed
- Paste aged for long months, crystalline texture and intense aromas
- Fresh product, ready to collect in-store today
Provenance
Region
Emilia-Romagna, Italy (Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, Bologna, Mantua)
PDO
DOP — Protected Designation of Origin
Method
Raw cow's milk, made to DOP specifications, long maturation
Notes
Parmigiano Reggiano is a protected designation of origin: only cheese made in its native zone can legally carry the name. Wedge weight varies with each anti-waste haul.
Ideas for use
01
Grated over your pasta
A must on carbonara, cacio e pepe or homemade lasagne. A few turns of the grater and the plate jumps a whole league.
02
Shaved with a peeler
Over a beef carpaccio, a creamy risotto or a rocket-and-balsamic salad: the finishing touch that makes all the difference.
03
On the aperitivo board, in shards
Snapped into rough pieces with a drizzle of aged balsamic and a touch of honey. Simple, lethal, addictive.
04
The secret to sauces and soups
Don't bin the rind! Dropped into a minestrone or a slow-simmering tomato sauce, it releases an incomparable umami broth.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is in this anti-waste Parmigiano Reggiano bag?
The bag contains one wedge of genuine Italian DOP Parmigiano Reggiano. The exact weight varies with the day's haul, because that's how anti-waste shopping works: we save the products that are available as they near their date. You get a fresh, authentic cheese at a price well below what a traditional cheese shop would charge.
Is the Parmigiano Reggiano genuinely authentic?
Yes. Parmigiano Reggiano is a protected designation of origin (DOP): only cheeses made in its native zone, in Emilia-Romagna, to a strict set of rules, can legally carry the name in Europe. The rind is stamped in dots with "PARMIGIANO REGGIANO" — a signature that's impossible to counterfeit. This is no generic parmesan.
Why is such a noble cheese sold at a reduced price?
Because it's approaching its best-before date. Rather than let a brilliant product go to waste, Pazzini offers it at an anti-waste price. The taste and quality are identical to a wedge bought at full price: you're simply getting a great deal while helping to stop food going to waste.
How do I store Parmigiano Reggiano once I'm home?
Wrap it in greaseproof paper and then cling film, and keep it in the fridge: it'll last two to three weeks. You can also grate it and freeze it so you've always got some on hand. That said, it's best not to freeze a whole block, as the texture changes once thawed.
Where and when do I collect my bag?
Pickup is in-store at Pazzini, in Saint-Maur-des-Fossés (94100), today. There's no delivery: you reserve online, then come and collect your bag in person. Stock is limited, so it's best to reserve early before it sells out.
What's the difference from supermarket parmesan?
DOP Parmigiano Reggiano is the only true original "parmesan," aged for long months, with a crystalline texture and deep aromas of hazelnut and broth. The grated or powdered imitations sold under similar-sounding names cannot legally carry the Parmigiano Reggiano name. You'll taste the difference from the very first bite.
