List of soul foods and dishes

Soul food is a variety of cuisine originating in the Southern United States. It is common in areas with a history of slave-based plantations such as Charleston, Savannah, and New Orleans. Soul food influences can be found as far north as Baltimore, and as far west as Los Angeles and Oakland. Soul food has been a source of cultural identity and community for African Americans for centuries.

History

The term "soul food" became popular in the 1960s and 1970s during the Black Power movement. It originated from the painful history of African American slavery in the United States. Enslaved Africans were given leftover and undesirable cuts of meat from their masters, while slave owners got the choice cuts. Today, what was once seen as survival food has become a cherished cuisine that symbolizes strength and creativity.

Ingredients

Soul food dishes are generally flavorful and rich, often containing a base of pork, chicken, or fish. Vegetables such as collard greens, black-eyed peas, and okra are also staples in the soul food diet. Corn, a significant element, is used in products like cornbread, hushpuppies, and grits.

List of Soul Foods and Dishes

Meats

• Chitterlings: Often referred to as "chitlins," these are the small intestines of a pig.
• Ham hocks: A small cut of meat from a pig's leg, often used to flavor stews and greens.
• Hog maw: The stomach of a pig, often stuffed and cooked.

Vegetables

• Collard greens: A type of leafy green vegetable that is often cooked with ham hocks or smoked turkey necks.
• Black-eyed peas: A type of legume, often cooked with pork for flavor.
• Okra: A green vegetable, often used in soups and stews.

Breads

• Cornbread: A type of bread made from cornmeal.
• Hushpuppies: A deep-fried ball made from cornmeal-based batter.
• Biscuits: A type of bread roll, often served with butter and jam.

Desserts

• Sweet potato pie: A dessert pie made from sweet potatoes, sugar, and spices.
• Peach cobbler: A dessert made with peaches and a biscuit-like topping.
• Banana pudding: A dessert made with layers of vanilla wafers, bananas, and custard.

See Also

• Southern United States
• African American culture
• Cuisine of the Southern United States

This is a non-exhaustive food and drink related list.