The traditional round design has self-basting spikes for continuous, natural basting. When your meal is ready, La Cocotte moves beautifully from the stove to your table. Its black matte enamel coatings make it indestructible and highly chip resistant and also keep it from discoloring. The cast iron cookware retains the heat beautifully, keeping the dish warm long after it's been taken out of the oven or off the stove. Staub's attractive appearance makes it possible for the dish to go straight from the stove to the table. For centuries, cooks have taken advantage of the natural heat retention and redistribution properties of cast iron.