Don't Throw Out Another Parmesan Rind — Make This Tasty Snack Instead

So, you've invested in the $9 slice of Parmigiano Reggiano for your charcuterie board, Caesar salad dressing, or creamy bowl of risotto. Whatever the reason may be, it won't be long until that beautiful, salty block is nothing but a thick sliver of rind.

At this point, it might look like trash, but don't throw it out. You might've heard of using leftover rinds to add rich flavor to soups or make a tasty broth, but here's a totally new (and way easier) way to make the most of your specialty cheese.

Thanks to GetCookingItalia, we now have a one-minute microwave hack to transform cheese scraps to salty, crunchy treasures. I had to try it for myself before getting too excited, and what do you know? It actually worked. After just 10 seconds, I could hear the cheese popping and inflating like a bag of popcorn. (P.S. a paper towel tent on top of your plate might be a good idea.) And then, I ate all of the cheese crisps as if they were popcorn. What better way to enjoy a food you typically trash?

Add these Parmesan rind crisps on your charcuterie spread or into snack mixes. Treat them as the croutons in salads or the crispy crown jewels on top of soups — they'll add an unexpected savory crunch every time.

Here's How to Make Parmesan Rind Crisps

1. Use the block of Parmesan until only the rind is left. Use a sharp knife to carefully shave the waxy coating off of the lettered side of the rind. Cut the rind into small squares, roughly one inch across.
2. Rinse under a stream of cold water and dry off.
3. Transfer to a microwave-safe plate and microwave on high for 1 minute. (Place the squares with the outer rind facing down before microwaving for easier removal). Allow to cool before handling.