Wikipedia Article About Queso panela on Wikipedia Queso Panela (Panela Cheese), also called "Queso Canasta" or "Queso de la Canasta" (Basket Cheese) because it carries the impression of the basket in which it molds itself, is a white, fresh and smooth cheese of pasteurized cow milk, served most often as part of an appetizer dishes such as nopal salads or quesadillas. It is derived from the Greek word for basket cheese.