I’ve kept using this beat up old pot for a long time. Mostly because it reminded me of my grandma, since it was the beat up old pot she was getting rid of and it got passed down to me. A very long time ago. It works fine, the food gets cooked. It even got featured in a post about making beans. I liked my self-made tradition of always cooking my beans in this lil’ old pot with a memory imprint. I didn’t really like that lots of the black paint was chipped off, or the thought of all the aluminum I was probably consuming. But it was my bean pot.
I kept meaning to replace it. Then my abue died a few years back. I was told not to attend the funeral. I don’t have many mementos or items from her, just memories and some recipes, so I stupidly kept the pot even longer. But I’m done with silly sentimentality for family.
Time to start a new tradition.
Yup, pretty scratched up.
Made under the Great Cooks label by the defunct Mirro Aluminum co. Damn, that was an old pot!
I put it on the sidewalk and someone else picked it up.
I bought a replacement. A clay pot that is sure to break on me very soon, but I’m gonna risk it.
And it works. Cuz these here beans went from this…
…to this. Nice and tender fresh beans.
Besides, I can always just transfer the memories of my abue to this much prettier pot.
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This post actually made me tear up a bit!
Yes, it is very sad to see the lil’ black pot go. Ima light a candle.
How do you keep the pot from cracking? Do you start out with a very low flame until the pot gets hot? Can you still saute the onions in oil in the pot? I’ve been afraid to try using a clay pot on a gas range.
I spy a cute kitty! Or at least I think it is…. O_o
Que elegante!
did you transfer your grandmother’s ashes into the new pot?
matt
what a beautiful thing to have cherished memories and to respect your grandma with a post. You are a heck of a guy and good writer.It’s not so easy to be funny and deep tambien
Chavo, what I found most disturbing was you were TOLD not to attend your grandma’s funeral. Huh. I don’t know what to think. But I’d like to think that perhaps your grandma would’ve liked you to attend. She did, after all, let you have that pot. Huh. And I’m sure your grandma would LOVE LOVE LOVE the new one. As I do. 🙂
Yup, that’s what happens in a messed up family.
I’m liking the new cazuelita look! I also still use my old reliable aluminum pot from mom’s house when I moved out 30 years ago, and it’s useful for all the “dutch oven” recipes, jaja. Please let us know how yours holds up.
P.S. Latino Family politics SUCK! But I guess that’s the downside with a “passionate” race, oy vey!
My parent’s have had the same cookware since like the early 80s. lol Back then I guess this door to door salesmen sold them these expensive pots at the time and they haven’t got rid of them since. I mean they are good and lasted but dang its been a long time!