How did the Hupa people boil food in baskets?

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Basket weaving on Madeira Island, Portugal — Basketry Overview of basketry on Madeira Island, Portugal.

The Hupa people of northwestern California traditionally boiled food in baskets by utilizing the technique of stone boiling. Because their basketry was crafted with such tight, skillful weaving, the containers were waterproof and capable of holding liquids.12

To cook, they would place food—such as soup or potage—into these watertight baskets and then drop hot stones directly into the mixture. The heat from the stones would bring the liquid to a boil, effectively cooking the contents without the need for a metal or ceramic pot.12