Kattila

Kattila is a Finnish noun referring to a cooking vessel used for boiling, simmering, and cooking foods. In everyday Finnish, it denotes a pot or kettle, typically with a lid and handles. Kattilat are common in homes, camps, and other settings where liquids or foods are heated over a heat source.

Design and materials: Kattilat come in a range of sizes from small sauce pots to large stock pots. They can be made from stainless steel, aluminum, cast iron, copper, or enamel-coated metals. Many have thick bottoms or layered bases to promote even heat distribution. Some models include nonstick coatings or heat-resistant handles.

Usage and cultural context: Kattila is a versatile tool in Finnish cooking; it is used for boiling water, preparing soups and stews, cooking grains such as porridge and rice, boiling pasta, and making preserves in larger vessels. The term is common in Finnish households and appears in everyday speech as the standard word for a cooking pot or kettle. In historical contexts, larger kattilat were essential on hearths and in taverns, reflecting their practical role in domestic and communal food preparation.

See also: Cookware, Pots and pans, List of cooking vessels.