How old is a "la salute e nella cotta marchio depositato" piece of cookware?
By gene from Syracuse, NY
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There seems to be many of them on Ebay and such for sale but not many people know much about them. Here is a cool article that I found that actually has instructions and an ad from a magazine, dated 1974.
livinghealthyfrom25to100.blogspot.../
Well I have one. It has the instructions. It is made from 5 kinds of volcanic rock. You are to wet it thoroughly inside and out before placing on medium heat. If you want to cook on high, you will need a diffuser on your range. You do not need oil, but can sprinkle a small amount of coarse salt in before you add your meat. It also says not to flip it since this will cause the juices to run out. Rather, open it and turn your meat then close it leaving 1/4" opening to allow moisture to escape. I make lovely fajitas in mine.
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I found a unique item at the thrift store and bought it, and I am wondering if anyone knows anything about it. I am sorry but I don't have a camera for a picture, but it's a terracotta cookware item that you would use over in a fire.
It is like a pie cooker that you use on a camping trip. Two slices of bread and some pie filling, over the camp fire. It is made in Italy and on it, it says "La Salute E Nella Cotta" in a circle across the top and the other part of the circle on the bottom it says, "Marchio Depositato."
Through the middle it says, "Lacotta" and made in Italy.
If anyone could help I would be very grateful!
Thank you!
Patty
Hi. We had one when we were camping years ago with the children, you can make lots of goodies with it. Sometimes we put cheese and bacon in between 2 slices of bread. Makes great grilled cheese sandwiches. Put some fruit in bread, yummy! A little imagination can give you many different goodies. Enjoy! (07/16/2005)
By Rosalie Shoeman
I have one inherited from my mother-in-law, probably purchased new in the 1970's. I have found 1 listed on e-bay for $8.00. I think it is a steak cooker. There is also one on e-bay called La Cotta Clay Omelet Maker. I am looking for instructions. Wish I could be more help. (10/10/2005)
By Nancy
Hi! I also bought one at a thrift store because it is so unusual. The "Marchio Depositato" means "patent pending" or something like that. I don't know what it's original purpose is, but it makes great omelets. It is large enough to put your eggs, mushrooms, onions (or whatever you like in an omelet) and cheese all in one side, cover it and after about three minutes turn it over for another 3 minutes or so and serve. The omelet is very flavorful - maybe because all the flavor is held in by the clay cookery. If you find out what this pan really is, please let me know. Thanks. (04/02/2006)
By Dori
Yes, it is a steak cooker. I have had one for the past 33 years. I got it as a wedding present from a very patriotic Italian family. It sat in the "useless miscellaneous appliance cupboard" for many years. It was perceived to be so useless that the ex-wife even left it behind when she took all the other "useless" appliances and gadgets at the time of her departure. Well wasn't she a fool. It is now my most treasured possession, not because it reminds me of her, but because it cooks the best steak I have ever eaten.
It took a while to perfect the "art" of cooking in it. Many of the initial steaks were "Steak ala Dunlop" with a touch "essence of detergent." I discovered it progressively got better with every use provided it was cleaned in the appropriate manner. That is, don't clean it. Never use detergent of any kind on it. Sadly it recently came to grief. I found your comment whist searching for a replacement. Regretfully, I was not able to find one. So if you are considering selling yours, I am in the market to buy one.
Regards. (07/18/2006)
By Mark
I just purchased one in Maine at a yard sale put on by the boy scouts. It is sort of oblong and has rubber handles. I don't think it has ever been used. I thought it might be an omelet cooker. I paid $1.00 for it and believe it to be my treasure from Maine. (10/11/2007)
By Cathy
I recently received a La Cotta item that was my grandmother's. It does not have a hinge. It appears to have been cooked in, and it has some paper stored inside of it. It has some kind of plain white paper that is folded up, as if it is to be used in this piece while cooking. It is an oval that is about 11 x 7 inches - with a matching top. It has small ceramic handles (not plastic/rubber ones) on each end. I'm not sure if it is some kind of roaster/oven or what. Any help identifying how I should use it would be appreciated. I'm assuming I would soak it in water before cooking in it like the other style of La Cotta mentioned above. (05/11/2008)
By Julia
It's an omelet maker. (06/03/2008)
I think I had one of these back around 1980 called, I think, "La Bisquera" and it was for cooking steaks on top of the stove. I didn't know how to prepare the pan, if it needs "seasoning", and I didn't make very good steak with it. It had a funny flavor of its own. Now I think I was using it the wrong way, and that the funny flavor goes away if you prepare the pan correctly and don't use soap on it.
I just bought a new one (vintage but unused) and want to try again. (11/25/2008)
By Susan
I know exactly what it is used for....cracking your enemies over the heads? (joke). I too have absolutely no idea what it is used for, but we have one and really want to know about it. Mark seemed to know what it is for, but we have some questions. Do you use any oils or butter? Do you cook it on the stove or in the stove? From what I hear from other sites you are supposed to soak it in water before you use it, but they never mentioned anything else. Mark, do you soak yours? (02/22/2009)
By Andi
