The laveggio (lavèc)
made of Pietra Ollare
of Valmalenco
The “laveggio”, or in local dialect lavèc, is among the objects that best represent the tradition of Valmalenco. This pot, which in the past was the only one used inside the houses in the towns of the Alpine Arc, is well known for its great refractory properties (slow acquisition and loss of heat) which make it perfect to cook stews, pot roasts, roasts, game, soups and all those types of food that require to be cooked slowly. Similar to the above-mentioned pot are the griddles for stakes, or in local dialect piòde, made of Pietra Ollare of Valmalenco. These stake pans allow food to be cooked in a healthy way and without dressings.
Before using the "laveggio" (lavèc)
Before using your “laveggio”, it is necessary to spread oil, butter or lard on the external and internal part of the object (in the past, egg white was used), then let the pot absorb the above substances for a few days. The first time you use it, it is advisable to prepare vegetable soups or boiled meat or fill the “laveggio” only with water, then put it in an electric oven, making the temperature rise in two hours (100, 150 and 200 degrees). This process enables a regular dilation and prevents the creation of cracks.
Before using the "laveggio" (lavèc)
Before using your “laveggio”, it is necessary to spread oil, butter or lard on the external and internal part of the object (in the past, egg white was used), then let the pot absorb the above substances for a few days. The first time you use it, it is advisable to prepare vegetable soups or boiled meat or fill the “laveggio” only with water, then put it in an electric oven, making the temperature rise in two hours (100, 150 and 200 degrees). This process enables a regular dilation and prevents the creation of cracks.
Use and Maintenance
While coking food, it is necessary to use the “laveggio” with a flame spreader and not to add cold water. After having used the pot, it is important to let it cool, thus preventing it from undergoing sudden changes in temperature or bumps. The “laveggio” must be washed after cooling by using neutral non-brasive cleaner.
Pietra ollare (firestone)
The adjective ollare, which comes from Latin aula/ae=pot, indicates a whole range of soft stones that are heat-proof and easy to process. Known for centuries, these types of stones can easily be processed for homeware and complementary furnishings. In particular, the Pietra Ollare of Valmalenco is made of both talcschists and chloritoschists, both of which are rocks strictly connected with serpentinites. Ital Export Valmalenco co-owns the only firestone quarry in a location called Pirlo, situated over Chiesa in Valmalenco.
Pietra ollare (firestone)
The adjective ollare, which comes from Latin aula/ae=pot, indicates a whole range of soft stones that are heat-proof and easy to process. Known for centuries, these types of stones can easily be processed for homeware and complementary furnishings. In particular, the Pietra Ollare of Valmalenco is made of both talcschists and chloritoschists, both of which are rocks strictly connected with serpentinites. Ital Export Valmalenco co-owns the only firestone quarry in a location called Pirlo, situated over Chiesa in Valmalenco.
Features
The firestone of Pirlo is a compact variety of hloritoschists, 95% of which is composed of a thick felt of very small chlorite plates. The most recent analyses of the chlorite that composes the firestone of Pirlo qualify it as an iron variety of clinochlore (ripidolite), to which other minerals are associated, such as magnetite, important for its resistance as a “fire stone”, epidote, apatite, titanite, talc, pyrite, etc.
