Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Independence Day










Happy Independence Day to my fellow Americans!

Do you know that I've never been to a 4th of July party where someone serves an American flag cake or pie? I feel like I'm missing out on an important tradition. Maybe I should try to make one myself.  We've been invited to a cookout/fireworks party and I was asked to bring dessert; however, they want us there at 2:00, and on a day that's supposed to get up to 95 degrees, I don't know if I want to spend that many hours under the broiling sun. Maybe if there are plenty of cocktails...

I associate the 4th of July-- and all of summer, really--with cookouts/grilling/BBQ-ing, etc. I found this interesting organization called the Southern Foodways Alliance. It's all about the food traditions of the Southern U.S., and of course, barbecue is an important focus. There's a section on the history and oral traditions of BBQ in the South, and it includes this interactive map of different restaurants where the owners talk about their association with BBQ, how their restaurants started, and how food fits into the local culture. It's a pretty cool site. I'd love to go on a BBQ restaurant road trip and visit as many of these places as possible.

If you're going to a 4th of July party, I hope there's lots of good food. And to all my friends in the northern hemisphere--stay cool today!

9 comments:

  1. Happy 4th to you! We are having a beautiful week of weather...highs in the mid 90's. That's bearable for us ;) We'll be having all the traditional stuff...BBQ, potato salad, beans, homemade ice cream. YUM! I grew up in DC and always miss the big fireworks celebration on the mall. We have a nice display downtown but nothing compares to the DC celebration! Something so patriotic about fireworks with the backdrop of the Washington Monument.

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    1. Oooh, highs in the mid-90s would be cool for us right now! Your menu sounds perfect for the 4th. I agree, it is pretty special to be near the nation's capital for the 4th. Hope you had a good one!

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  2. Happy 4th to you!! I'm just hoping no one sets anything on fire with all the fireworks. A BBQ road trip would be incredible! I've lived in several places where people take their BBQ very seriously. In TX BBQ means beef while in SC it only means pulled pork. I'll take a plate of either! :o)

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  3. Check out the article about the nuns who make Gouda in today's Food section in the post. VA cheese with VA wine is a great local meal. :o)

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    1. Thanks, Tammy. I'll look for that article, I do love cheese! I think the site I mentioned in my post has a segment on Southern cheese too. I know what you mean--BBQ is very much part of the local culture of some cities and people are very opinionated about what makes the best BBQ!

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  4. Happy 4th. That would be a great dessert...very quiet in my neighborhood as everyone is staying cool...fireworks were down the street on T but neighbors had their own extra fireworks last night too...hope you had a grand time...oh and I love your road trip idea...BBQ is a regional thing and so different and delicious..

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    1. We had a great 4th and I hope you did too! I like the regional differences in BBQ too.

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  5. I love making those festive July 4 cakes! I hope you had a great 4th!

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    1. Oh I should invite myself to your house! :)
      I went to a party and there was no festive flag cake.

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