A salt pig, authentic and a nice item on your kitchen counter.
INHOUD
A SALT PIG, “EL SALERO”…
During my last visit to Güéjar Sierra, a village in the mountains near the Sierra Nevada, I discovered a small ceramics shop. The owner only sells handmade bowls, pots, and vases. Among the assortment, I saw an unfamiliar object. After the owner’s explanatory explanation, I decided to buy one for myself.
Once home, I made a post on my social media channels asking who knew this rather strange object… I received the craziest answers:
- A facial steamer.
- A potato holder.
- A pot for cooking.
- A pee funnel.
- A milk jug.
- A soup pot.
- A flycatcher.
- …
They were original interpretations, but it’s actually a simple salt pig… 😄
WHY DOES IT HAVE THIS SHAPE?
Apparently, both the shape and its use are well-known among previous generations. Moreover, there was careful thought put into the design:
- A large opening for your hand.
- A slight curved angle that corresponds to the hand and arm when taking salt or spices from a container.
- Not an open vessel to prevent dirt from falling into the salt from above, hence the collar. Also no separate lid because that will be the first to be broken…
- A handle because the salt recipient used to be used both indoors and outdoors, making it easy to carry… for example, paella was prepared outdoors over a wood fire or think of a barbecue…
I still remember the “salt pig” from my grandparents, which was a small open glass jar that stood next to the stove. The model I saw here was completely unknown to me. However, it turns out that in Spain, it is well-known with this typical design.
VERY HANDY ON THE COUNTER
An authentic salt pig like this is actually a handy kitchen utensil that was specially made for storing and dosing salt by hand. It is a container with an opening at the top, allowing salt to be easily sprinkled on food during cooking. This type was specifically made to be placed on the kitchen counter near the stove. I found it to be an interesting fact and useful item. Furthermore, it looks beautiful in our outdoor kitchen next to the barbecue, and we filled it with coarse kitchen salt… From now on, we will also use it ✔️
If you happen to be near Güéjar Sierra and want to take a look at the ceramics shop yourself, ask for “Cerámicas Quirós,” near the town square.
http://quirosceramica.blogspot.com/p/tienda-y-taller.html
Plaza Mayor 14
Güéjar Sierra 18160
Granada
Teléfonos: 615 18 61 16 y 958 48 41 07
Correo electrónico: quirosceramica@hotmail.com
These are some other shapes:
