Big Wheel of Cheese Rolling Down the Street and Other Excitements: November 5 in Rockridge

Rockridge Market Hall staff get ready to roll a big wheel of Crucolo cheese down the street. (Photo courtesy of Market Hall Foods)

Here’s a Market Hall Foods tradition that exuberantly pays homage to a favorite Italian cheese from the Trentino-Alto Adige region. Wearing traditional Italian garb, staff members roll a 400-pound wheel of Crucolo cheese down Shafter Avenue. The Crucolo Parade begins outside Market Hall Foods in Oakland, and the procession ends at a parklet, where live music and dancing will invite all to congregate. Following a ceremonial cutting into this gigantic creamy cow-milk cheese, everyone can enjoy samples.

This northern Italian formaggio is the biggest cheese west of the Mississippi and the Cheese Counter at Market Hall Foods is one of the few shops to bring it in. When it is gone, it really is gone until next year, so come get a taste!

Crucolo Parade and Celebration of Regional Italian Cooking
November 5, noon to 2pm (Crucolo Parade starts at 1pm)
Rockridge Market Hall, 5655 College Ave, Oakland
Cost: No charge except for purchases.
Info: here

While you’re at Rockridge Market Hall, don’t miss the chance to meet Vickie Bennison, YouTube star and author of Pasta Grannies: Comfort Cooking. She’ll be signing copies of her book, and in honor of her appearance, the kitchen at Market Hall Foods will be preparing two recipes from Pasta Grannies: Sicilian Deep Fried Rice Balls and Ham and Cheese Pasta Rolls from Romagna.  Read more here.