Food plays a large role in African American culture. Different dishes that are made in the African American culture are closely linked to food that was consumed during slavery, incorporating the various fruits and vegetables which were accessible. Food in African American culture also incorporates different cooking styles used by African slaves that were brought to the states with slavery. Although the name was applied much later during 1960 soul food originated in the home cooking of the rural South during slavery. Using locally raised or gathered foods and other inexpensive ingredients that slaves would use to cook is the key to this food being from the soul because these amazing people did the best with what little ingredients they had. These ingredients would include corn , greens , potatoes , okra , and yams are all included. Corn would be used to make cornbread and also grits that could be used as a side with breakfast.
Picture of Soul Food
https://www.wunc.org/post/story-soul-food-one-meal-time
Another way Slaves would cook is barbeque. This method was used by slaves from the West Indies who would baste their meat in sauces instead of serving them on the side. This method turning up being real popular in the southern States of America because most slaves would end up with terrible parts of pork such as ribs , feet , head , and internal organs so to make things better they would season the meat and let it sit in their sauce to make it taste better. The most common sauce that is still used today is a mixture of red hot peppers and vinegar that originated from the south.The word barbecue and the open-fire cooking technique came from the Caribbean amongst the Taino people around the late 17th century.
Personally my family eats soul food almost every Sunday when we have dinner together after church. My plate would always include chicken or fish which was a main protein that was cooked during slavery. These proteins were usually cooked over an open flame but now African Americans adapted to frying their meat. This has created the phenomenon fried chicken that everybody in my family loves. Another important dish that was always on my plate was mac and cheese. This was an essential side because it provided a great and cheesy pasta to eat with your portions , vegetables , and bread. The main vegetables served on my plate would definitely be okra , green beans , or collard greens. Okra is very important because this vegetable is actually imported from Africa and was a main vegetable all slaves would eat. Collard greens is another vegetable that slaves would use to eat healthy during the rough days they went through. They would soak these greens a certain way that is very similar to African traditional meals. Last but not least there is soul food deserts. These include sweet potato pie, pecan pie, or peach cobbler. Soul Food was is always on the menu in my family at every funeral , family event , or just any celebration of ours because my Grandma always said “Soul Food will always bring the family together”.
To finally conclude Soul food is considered the culture food of African Americans Today. This was started from slaves during the 1940s- all the way up to today in 2020. Now there are many soul food spots that serve only that particular type of food and to me I love how far my culture has come and hope we go even farther.
Written by Isaiah Adkins
Southern BBQ Chicken Recipe
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Picture of Bbq chicken
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/236901/southern-bbq-chicken/https://blackthen.com/the-connection-between-african-americans-and-the-history-of-barbeque/
- https://www.wunc.org/post/story-soul-food-one-meal-time
