Paila

A paila is a versatile piece of cookware that is a staple in many Spanish-speaking South American kitchens. It's typically a large, shallow metal pan or an earthenware bowl, ideal for both cooking and serving food. When made from clay, these pailas are excellent at retaining heat, which helps keep your food warm for longer.

In Ecuador and Colombia, pailas are indispensable for traditional dishes like pork fritada. They also serve as "ice pails" for making delicious ice creams and sorbets. Meanwhile, in Chile and Peru, clay pailas are commonly used for baking cornbread and other local specialties. In Bolivia's Cochabamba region, pailas are used to cook chicharrón, or pork cracklings.

Interestingly, the word "paila" isn't limited to cooking. It is also the name of a Latin percussion instrument, the paila criolla or timbal, which plays a key role in salsa bands.