Earth Oven

An earth oven is a pit, often lined with stones, in which a large fire is built. As the flames die down, so stones are placed on the embers to absorb, and then retain, the heat. Suitably wrapped or insulated, the food to be cooked is lowered on the hot surface, the pit is covered to exclude oxygen and keep the heat in and, many hours later, the food is excavated and eaten. Because of the lining and insulation, usually leaves, the food is steamed as well as baked.