: a large bulging widemouthed earthenware vessel sometimes with looped handles used (as by Pueblo Indians) for storage, cooking, or as a container for water
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An olla is a terracotta water pot that’s extremely porous, and when buried in soil and filled with water, leaks out water over time, keeping the ground moist and plants adequately watered.—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 July 2025 No longer are they made from clay ollas — used for hauling water or storing food — that would make a loud pop when cracked.—Susan Montoya Bryan, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Sep. 2023 Cabbage grows well with an olla (a clay container for self-watering) or in a self-watering container.—Christopher Michel, Country Living, 18 July 2022 In the adjacent Victor Manuel market, make time for Willimapu restaurant, which serves Indigneous Mapuche specialties like curanto en olla, a one-pot feast of seafood and meat.—Patricia Garip, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 June 2022 Summer squash grows well with an olla or in a self-watering container.—Christopher Michel, Country Living, 18 July 2022 The Monterey Park restaurant offers all of this and more: a massive new torta ahogada, as well as cafe de olla.—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2022 Osorio makes café de olla for herself and Vanesa Ramirez, 53.—Laura Garcia, San Antonio Express-News, 20 Apr. 2022 Think Cuba’s cafecito or cortado, Mexico’s café de olla, Puerto Rico’s café con leche, and even new fusions like a horchata latte.—Vulture, 9 Oct. 2021
Word History
Etymology
Spanish, from Latin olla, aulla pot; akin to Sanskrit ukhā pot and probably to Goth auhns oven
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