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re: Southern Cuisine & Race/Social Class
Posted on 7/1/15 at 3:21 pm to genro
Posted on 7/1/15 at 3:21 pm to genro
quote:
I'm sure it was highly varied. Some interesting references
Yeah. I'm sure that plantation owners could afford to take care of their slaves far better than the farmer with only one or two. To the plantation owner, they were more of an investment.
This post was edited on 7/1/15 at 3:22 pm
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Posted on 7/1/15 at 3:27 pm to genro
quote:
genro
Thanks for the links and references. I've actually seen several lobster shacks up here reference that.
Posted on 7/1/15 at 3:39 pm to genro
I beleive too, that back in the day collard greens were used as a cover crop and also for pig consumption as the prize green was the turnip. Therefore, blacks and poor whites ate them. Also, obviously eating neck bones, intestines, etc came from the rich whites throwing all that out. It's interesting to see how "in" a lot of those foods are now.
This post was edited on 7/1/15 at 3:40 pm
Posted on 7/1/15 at 3:40 pm to Robert Goulet
quote:
Also, obviously eating neck bones, intestines, etc came from the rich whites throwing all that out. It's interesting to see how "in" a lot of those foods are now.
We had a whole pig roast about two months ago. I are the brains, eyes, cheeks, ears, and kidneys. fricking delicious.
Posted on 7/1/15 at 3:43 pm to HempHead
I always crunch off the ears when we put a pig in the ground.
Posted on 7/1/15 at 4:50 pm to cokebottleag
quote:
Considering the vast, VAST majority of southerners didn't own slaves or have "help" I seriously doubt the premise that they got all their cuisine from black folk.
Oh jeez, is this another thread in which we're all supposed to claim to be descended from poor dirt farmers and fur trappers who ain't never had no help with nuthin from no one?
"Help" was common. My ancestors in South Louisiana were far from Gone With the Wind plantation owners, but the census records show they had 3/5 of a person on hand to help with the sugar cane.
My parents grew up in modest middle class families that came out of the Depression with very little (dad's side came to this country with the clothes on their backs), but they had "help" growing up in the 40's and 50's.
I didn't see anyone claim that "all" Southern food was copied from "black folk," as you so lovingly call them, but of course there were mutual influences. That kind of cultural cross-pollination happens everywhere in all times. I can see it in my own family's culinary habits.
But Genro is correct. Southern food was stereotyped by Yankees as black food or soul food when blacks migrated in large numbers from the Delta. Not sure why anyone down voted his comment.
OP asked an interesting question. Dining habits usually vary by class lines,, and it's reasonable to assume that was true in the old South. Blacks and poor whites likely would have had similar diets. So I guess the original question is what kinds of foods were upper class delicacies and what kinds were considered too low class to serve at society dinners?
This post was edited on 7/1/15 at 4:52 pm
Posted on 7/1/15 at 4:52 pm to PowerTool
I have Mexicans mowing my yard as I type this.
I love their food. Lawd, lets write a book.
I love their food. Lawd, lets write a book.
Posted on 7/1/15 at 5:27 pm to BarkRuffalo
The Southern cuisine was largely influence by the black community. The fried catfish, bbq, fried chicken, fried pork chops, biscuits and gravy, grits, greens, etc are all what is considered "soul food" and largely came from the black community.
Go up north and restaurants have these classy, high dollar chefs cooking meals. Come to restaurants down here, and you have 300lb black women back there at the stove cooking you up a heart attack heaven.
Go up north and restaurants have these classy, high dollar chefs cooking meals. Come to restaurants down here, and you have 300lb black women back there at the stove cooking you up a heart attack heaven.
Posted on 7/1/15 at 5:47 pm to deltaland
quote:
Come to restaurants down here, and you have 300lb black women back there at the stove cooking you up a heart attack heaven.
When I see old black women in a kitchen, I have absolutely zero doubts that what I'm going to eat will be delicious.
Posted on 7/2/15 at 9:05 am to PowerTool
quote:
But Genro is correct. Southern food was stereotyped by Yankees as black food or soul food when blacks migrated in large numbers from the Delta. Not sure why anyone down voted his comment.
Because Genro didn't say it - Brodeo did. Genro disagreed.
My family was bitterly poor in north Florida, and the traditional cuisine that they ate/we eat is nearly identical to what you'd find in a black soul food restaurant. Collards, okra n tomatoes, black-eyed peas, squash and onions, etc. Heavy, heavy on the vegetables, with bits and scraps of meat when available.
Bourdain (who is a pompous a-hole) has some stuff to say about the evolution of peasant food, and how it is more important both culturally and culinarily than haute cuisine. Peasants know how to make do with scraps, and make edible, delicious meals out of next-to-nothing.
Posted on 7/2/15 at 1:51 pm to BarkRuffalo
Do you know what made chicken so popular? Back in the day turkey was served at white tables so the negros settled for the cheaper chicken.
Posted on 7/2/15 at 2:05 pm to CrimsonChin
quote:Frick some dry arse turkey, when I can have some succulent chicken
Back in the day turkey was served at white tables so the negros settled for the cheaper chicken.
Posted on 7/2/15 at 2:55 pm to RoyalAir
Bourdain has an enviable life, but i think i would kick his arse if I had to talk to him for long.
Posted on 7/2/15 at 3:58 pm to PowerTool
quote:
Bourdain has an enviable life, but i think i would kick his arse if I had to talk to him for long.
Confirm.
Posted on 7/2/15 at 5:11 pm to sjmabry
Agree. Fried chicken for me.
Posted on 7/2/15 at 5:46 pm to BarkRuffalo
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