olla

Olla is a Spanish noun meaning “pot” or “cooking pot.” In everyday use it refers to a container used for preparing food, typically a broad-mouthed vessel that may be made of clay, ceramic, or metal and covered with a lid. In Iberian and Latin American cuisines, the term often denotes traditional one-pot dishes such as stews and soups and can also refer to the vessel itself.

Etymology and usage: The word derives from the Latin olla, meaning pot or jar. In Spanish-speaking regions, olla is used both for the container and for meals prepared in it. The form and naming of ollas vary by region, from simple everyday pots to those used for specialty dishes like olla podrida, a long-simmered Spanish stew.

Materials and methods: Traditional ollas are frequently made of clay (ollas de barro), which retains moisture and distributes heat slowly, making them well suited to gentle braising and long simmering. Clay pots may be unglazed or glazed. Modern equivalents include ceramic or metal pots designed to mimic the classic shape and function. In Spanish-speaking markets, terms such as olla exprés or olla a presión refer to pressure-cooker devices used to speed up cooking of stews and legumes.

Archaeology and culture: In the Andean region and other pre-Columbian contexts, ollas are among the most common ceramic vessels found in settlements and burial sites. They served for cooking, water storage, and daily domestic use, with shapes and decorations varying across cultures and periods. The vessel’s prominence highlights both daily life and craft traditions in historical communities.