Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which we also know as Columbus Day, is coming to remind us about two meaningful things. Firstly, it is our celebration of the priceless social and cultural diversity of our country. Secondly, it is our good chance to throw a big homey cookout for family and friends in the golden rays of the October sun.
Let’s see what we are going to toast on October 14, and plan a hearty barbeque menu for the holiday.
The National Meaning of Indigenous Peoples’ Day
The existence of the land, where we are going to grill meats and veggies on October 14, was reported to Europeans by Christopher Columbus in 1492.
No, the adventurous Italian wasn’t the first to discover the New World on the way from Western Europe to India. Neither was he meticulous enough to delve into and describe the nature and people he came across on the other coast of the Atlantic. History rumors that Columbus was rather a cruel colonizer than a peaceful explorer.
Still, what happened in the end of the 15th century stayed in the end of the 15th century.
Columbus’ expeditions sparked the interest of the Old World’s inhabitants in the new lands and the mysteries they had been concealing for hundreds of years. Until today, this interest hasn’t waned.
Today, when we have a five-century experience to look back and assess Columbus and his crew’s deeds, we can clearly recognize what we are celebrating on Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples’ Day. (The latter name of the holiday is getting more and more popular.)
So, let’s toast the diversity and peace in our communities, our country, and our world.
Grab yourself some wine, beer, lemonade, or ice tea, and pair your beverage with scrumptious barbeque.
Barbeque – The Holiday Specialty and Activity
It is a perfect idea for celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The festive BBQ has already become an integral culinary tradition in our families. But interestingly, this tradition takes its roots in ancient Native American and African cuisines.
Original barbeque is a method for roasting meat, poultry, or fish on a wooden framework, resting on wooden sticks, over an indirect flame. Modern metal grills operate basing on this simple technique.
The spread of the barbeque cooking technique across North America is attributed to Columbus’ Spanish followers who were moving to the north of the continent during their expeditions in the 16th century. Gradually, the BBQ has turned into the one of our all-time favorite meals. And traditional American cuisine can hardly be imagined without it.
Barbequing in a modern American manner includes grilling, roasting, smoking, and braising meats, mushrooms, vegetables, and even fruit. Choose the method you like and check the delicious holiday recipes below.
Hint: If you have your own secret ingredient or special cooking tip passed from generation to generation in your family, don’t hesitate to use them while concocting the festive dinner.
Pork BBQ
Pork barbeque is believed to originate from the southern states – Virginia and the Carolinas. In the South, the traditional dressing for meat is vinegar. But this flavorful feature of the local BBQ might settle down in the southern cuisine while British colonists were settling down on the southern territories. The British used vinegar to preserve juice within meat while cooking.
Let’s try out this time-tested method.
To stay sure that your pork BBQ will be out of this world, choose either secreto, or tenderloin, or loin.
For secreto and tenderloin, prepare the fragrant seasoning you like the most:
Yes, pork pairs well with lemons and oranges.
The further action plan is as simple as pie. Sprinkle the seasoning over the meat. And grill the meat covered, over medium heat, turning occasionally. You will need about 25 minutes for cooking and five minutes more for letting the meat cool before you slice it.
And what about marinated pork chops? For the marinade you’ll need:
Put the marinade and meat to a large releasable plastic bag and refrigerate overnight. Then, drain the meat, discarding the marinade. Grill the chops covered and over medium heat, for four-five minutes on each side. Before serving, let the meat cool for five minutes more.
Serve the pork chops with grilled corn or grilled eggplants, family coleslaw, hushpuppies, or artichokes.
Beef BBQ
Beef barbeque served with tomato-based sauces is mostly a Midwest staple. But even if you aren’t from Midwest and still prefer veal to pork, you will like this gourmet recipe for marinated beef ribeyes.
At first sight, it does look ordinary. But in this case, simplicity is key.
The marinade is simple:
So are the directions. Just put the marinade and meat to a plastic bag and refrigerate for at least four hours. Then, drain the steaks and grill them covered, over a medium heat, until the meat reaches preferred doneness. That’s about five-seven minutes per side. Let the steaks cool and serve.
And here are the sumptuous accompaniments for serving:
Duck BBQ
Duck barbeque is an excellent idea for the celebration if you want to try something different from traditional pork and veal. Duck meat is a generous source of protein and B-vitamins. Despite its specific, strong flavor, duck tastes fabulous with many berries and fruit.
Check out the recipe below and see how to cook and serve duck at its best. Just make sure you stocked up on fresh duck breasts and charcoal for the grill.
Duck is friendly to marinades. What’s more, marinating this meat takes considerably less time than marinating pork or beef – one-two hours in the refrigerator. The marinade’s ingredients are also absolutely earthy:
Before marinating duck breasts, through the skin on them, cut incisions in a crosswise pattern every 3-4 inches. But don’t cut into the meat.
Here are the directions:
Cheese & veggies BBQ
Some foodies say that a barbeque that doesn’t have meat is just a variation (or parody) of the real barbeque. But grilling meats takes more time than grilling veggies and cheeses. So, these guys can be served as great starters to tame the appetites, heated up with mouthwatering odors of grilling pork, beef, or poultry.
Here are a few outstanding ideas.
Take a look at these grilled peppers stuffed with bacon and blue cheese.
You will need about 20 minutes and the listed ingredients for cooking:
What will you need to do?
Speaking of grilled vegetables and cheeses, you can also try the following combinations:
Also, grilled cheese tastes heavenly with black caviar. So, if you plan to impress, it will be a smart idea to bring a jar of Siberian sturgeon caviar with you.
Fruit BBQ
Fruit barbeque will be an original dessert, perfectly fitting the fall celebration.
If the weather is warm enough, you can serve grilled fruit with vanilla and chocolate ice cream. If the weather isn’t for ice cream and cool drinks, teas or cocoa for kinds and wine for adults will turn to be very suitable options.
Grill whatever you and your dearest like:
You are welcome to experiment with the listed BBQ recipes and use them to bring your own culinary ideas into being.
Enjoy the celebration, the meals, and the time you are sharing with your dearest and nearest.
Marky’s wishes you a happy and peaceful Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2019!