Does anyone know where I can get hold of vegetarian Parmesan cheese?

I'm never sure that it is suitable for vegetarians as I think it has renete in it and would like to know where it is available.

How can one tell, does it have the green V sign on packaging?

Parmesan also known as Parmigiano-Reggiano is a specific type of cheese its name and recipe are protected by an EU ruling which means it can only be produced in one small area of Northern Italy and only to the same age old recipe which does indeed include animal rennet - there is no vegetarian Parmesan, it would be illegal in the EU to produce or sell one under that name.

Lots of shops however sell a Parmesan style hard cheese which is made with synthetic rennet and is suitable for vegetarians. Tesco and Sainsburys certainly have a hard cheese made in the Parmesan style which is marked as suitable.

It is also possible to get (from the free from aisle in most large supermarkets) a product called florentino parmazano. This is a dairy free, grated mature hard cheese replacer which is suitable for both vegetarians and vegans. Well worth keeping in the larder if all you want is a bit of a sprinkle on your veggie bolognaise every now and again.

Twineham grange hard cheese is the best Vegetarian alternative to Parmesan Cheese. You can pick it up in loads of places and I think Tesco's now stock it nationally.

Tesco's

You can make some at home. This doesn't contain any cheese but it sure tastes like it.

Vegan Parm:

1/4 cup (60 ml) slivered almonds
1 Tbs. (15 ml) toasted sesame seeds
1/8-1/4 tsp. (1 ml) salt
1/4 tsp. (1 ml) lemon zest

Combine all ingredients in a small food processor or blender and pulse until you reach your desired consistency.

It definitely does have rennet in it. And that's definitely NOT vegetarian! I'd suggest sourcing an alternative.

on the market!

ive never seen fresh vegetarian parmasan you could maybe try ordering online there mite be like a vegan version but you can get like that soy cheese from asda in the gluten free bit its called parmazano

If it is prepacked, it will have a green V-sign and "suitable for vegetarians" on the package. You may find more variety on offer if you look at ANY hard cheese with a vaguely Italian name and not just "Parmesan" cheese. Our local health-food store is 100% vegan, so all "cheese" there has not been made using rennet OR milk and they have a substitute for hard cheese at odd times (not often mind).... It does not taste anything like Parmesan mind you... LOL!! I am afraid I no longer insist on "vegetarian" cheese, because I do not want to pay a premium for what I consider inferior cheese. I also am not sure what is being used as an alternative to rennet... It is so scary what is put into our food these days, it is "better the devil you know" in my book! Naturally YMMV!