In Calabria the terracotta pot never disappeared. There are still those who can tell the difference between a sauce cooked in metal and one cooked in clay. Terracotta doesn't burn, it spreads the heat evenly, it holds onto the flavours.
These pots come from Altomonte. Handmade, glazed with non-toxic enamels, made to sit on the stove, not in a display cabinet.
Choose the size
Small for sauces, medium for soups, large for slow-cooked ragù.
What you can cook in a terracotta pot
Pasta e fagioli
Beans need low heat and time. The terracotta pot keeps them warm evenly without drying them out. They cook, soften, and stay whole.
Sugo alla 'nduja
The 'nduja melts slowly in the warm oil, then the tomato arrives. In terracotta the sauce doesn't stick, doesn't burn at the edges, and comes out creamy.
Ragù lungo
Hours over the fire, meat that falls apart, a sauce that slowly thickens. Terracotta is the only material that holds the heat without altering the flavour.
Minestra di verdure
Onion, potato, black cabbage, chilli. Everything in, cold water, low heat. In an hour, a soup that tastes like home.
Legumi in umido
Chickpeas, lentils, broad beans — Calabrian pulses are still cooked in clay. The result is different: softer, with a richer broth.
And so much more, all it takes is your imagination!
Why cooking in clay changes everything
It's not nostalgia. It's simple chemistry: terracotta is porous, it retains moisture, it spreads heat evenly. Food cooks slowly and evenly, without temperature spikes that burn the edges and leave the centre raw.
Braalla pots are glazed inside with non-toxic enamels, food-safe, fire-resistant, and easy to clean.
Even heat
Terracotta has no hot spots. The base and sides reach the same temperature, the sauce cooks evenly everywhere.
Retains moisture
The porosity of the clay keeps moisture inside. Soups and pulses come out creamier, meat stays tender.
Non-toxic glazes
No synthetic coating. The glaze used is the same one used by the master artisans of Altomonte: natural, safe, durable.
Handmade
Every pot comes off the wheel with small differences — no two are identical. That's the signature of a handmade piece.
How to take care of your pot
Terracotta lasts for years, sometimes decades. Just treat it right the first few times.
Before washing: wait for it to cool
Never put a hot pot under cold water. The temperature shock will crack it. Let it cool completely, even for an hour, before washing.
If it's cold: low heat
Don't put a cold pot on high heat, the clay needs to get used to the heat gradually.
Can it go in the dishwasher? Yes! But warm water and a soft sponge are enough. For stubborn residue, baking soda and warm water.
Calabrian terracotta pots are among the few kitchen tools that have never stopped being used in homes across the South. Not out of empty tradition, but because no modern material gives the same result over long cooking times. Braalla offers terracotta pots handmade in Altomonte, in three sizes: small (14 cm Ø) for quick cooking, medium (16 cm Ø) for everyday use, large (26 cm Ø) for long family recipes. Each piece is glazed with non-toxic enamels, thrown on the wheel and fired in a kiln. Suitable for gas stovetops, cast-iron plates, and traditional ovens.