The Swiss Connection - Local Indiana Cheese

photo:  www.swissconnectioncheese.com

On Friday, we went to a dairy near us that makes farmstead cheese.     The Swiss Connection is located just north of Clay City off of Hwy 59 about a mile and a half.

It's about a 45-50 minute drive for us, but well worth it.  We've had a lot of rain here and when we got to the Worthington bridge over the White River, the road was under water.   We had to detour way down to Bloomfield to get across the river.  Once across, we didn't run into any other water over the road past Clay City.

The Swiss Connection is a family farm and business run by the Yegerlehners.  They make farmstead cheese - which means they make cheese with milk from their own cows.  And that cheese is fabulous!

Inside the shop they have a big window so you can see the cheese works.  On Friday, we met Alan, the owner and chief cheese maker, who was happy to sell us  ice cream [made there, but not with their milk] and plenty of aged cheeses.  We got a pazia for the first time - it's a lot like parmesan.  Great flavor, very dry.

We also scored some fresh milk, with a thick layer of cream on top and some squeakers.   I couldn't have been happier.  Once we got home, I made 3 kinds of cheese with that fabulous milk.  More on that later. 

Note:  The milk and the squeakers are sold as pet food - according to Indiana law.   Indiana law prohibits the sale of raw dairy products for human consumption.   Don't get me started on the whole food police thing.  It makes me crazy.  [Contact your state legislators if you think this law is stupid.   We do.   Regularly.]  Cheeses made with raw milk and aged more than 60 days are considered 'safe' and can be sold for human consumption.

Support your local dairies and producers - we need them!   Visit The Swiss Connection at the Bloomington Farmer's Market.