Olla podrida facts for kids
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| Type | Stew |
|---|---|
| Course | Main course |
| Place of origin | Spain |
| Main ingredients | Meats (can be beef, mutton, pork, chicken, ham, sausages, bacon), chickpeas and vegetables |
Olla podrida is a traditional and hearty Spanish stew. It's like a super-powered, delicious mix of different meats and vegetables, all cooked slowly together. The name might sound a bit strange, meaning "rotten pot," but it actually comes from an old word meaning "powerful pot." It's a very old and famous dish, especially popular in the city of Burgos in Spain.
What is Olla Podrida?
Olla podrida is a rich and filling stew. It usually contains chickpeas or beans. Many kinds of meat are added, such as pork, beef, bacon, partridge, chicken, ham, and sausage. It also includes vegetables like carrots, leeks, cabbage, potatoes, and onions.
How is it Made?
This special meal is traditionally cooked in a clay pot. It simmers for many hours, allowing all the flavors to blend together perfectly. People usually eat it as a main course. Sometimes, all the ingredients are served together in one dish. Other times, the meats might be separated from the vegetables, or the liquid from the solid parts.
A Bit of History
The recipe for olla podrida is very old. You can find it in a cookbook called Opera dell’arte del cucinare. This book was written by Bartolomeo Scappi, who was the cook for Pope Pius V. It was first published way back in 1570. Later, in 1612, the recipe was translated into Dutch. This shows how popular and well-known the dish was even centuries ago.
The Word "Olio"
The word "olla" from "olla podrida" was even adapted into English. It became the word "olio." The Oxford English Dictionary describes "olio" as a "spiced meat and vegetable stew of Spanish and Portuguese origin." It can also mean any dish that has a wide variety of ingredients.
