fontina

noun

fon·​ti·​na fän-ˈtē-nə 

often capitalized

: a cheese that is semisoft to hard in texture and mild to medium sharp in flavor

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Next, place the saucepan on top, and cook the fontina over medium heat, stirring with a wooden spoon, until the cheese is melted, 10-15 minutes. —CNN, 8 May 2022

An asparagus and fontina frittata, liberally sprinkled with fresh herbs and a touch of lemon, and very springlike, is ideal on an Easter brunch table. —BostonGlobe.com, 30 Mar. 2021

Semifirm or semisoft cheeses: Cheddar, Colby, Edam, fontina, Gouda, Havarti, Jarlsberg, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, Muenster, pepper Jack, Port-Salut, Swiss cheese. —Alexa Weibel, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2020

For the pizzas, the menu boasts four options, from the margherita — marinara, mozzarella, basil-- to the chicken pizza with alecia’s tomato chutney, sweet peppers, fontina, and arugula. —Shauna Stuart | [e-mail], al, 29 Apr. 2020

Everyone loves cauliflower, so make a casserole with tomatoes and goat cheese, a gratin made with Gruyère, fontina and pecorino or a whole roasted cauliflower with romesco (Go ahead. —Margaux Laskey, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2020

Real Wisconsin brick cheese, white cheddar and fontina. —cleveland, 10 Mar. 2020

There are plenty of group-friendly menu options, including the Chef’s Board, a generous assortment of marinated olives, Italian salami, parma prosciutto, artichokes, fontina and fresh buffalo mozzarella. —azcentral, 19 Feb. 2020

Negronis and glasses of wine were flowing, and then out came some complimentary apps, one of which rendered all of us speechless: Fried Castelvetrano olives stuffed with thyme and fontina. —Sunset Staff, Sunset Magazine, 18 Feb. 2020

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Word History

Etymology

Italian

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above