La Chamba 5 Quart Flat Casserole

Description from Milk Street

Product Information
Made of black clay, a typical medium for traditional Colombian pottery, this lidded 5-quart casserole works beautifully for rice dishes, casseroles or seafood stews. Each dish benefits from a low, wide, flat baking dish and the steam-capturing lid. La Chamba’s casserole dishes are still made the traditional way, by families in central Colombia who practice their craft on the banks of the Magdalena River. This striking black baker transitions easily from kitchen to table; the unglazed clay has a light, sophisticated sheen and the casserole will retain heat long after coming off of the heat, thanks to the naturally occurring mica in the clay. As each piece is handmade by Colombian artisans, slight imperfections in form or finish are to be expected, including the fit of the lid to the casserole. It is appropriate for the oven or microwave, but despite being incredibly sturdy and long-lasting, black clay pieces should be heated slowly, as they can’t withstand drastic changes in temperature.