Soul Food in NJ (New Brunswick, Hackensack: homes, living, restaurants)

[EEEPNJ]

OK - I've tried a lot of foods and I've not tried Soul Food. I noticed a new (at least newer) place on Main in Hackensack and I'd like to check it out. Can anyone out there give me a primer on what's what and what I should order and maybe even give me some tips on where I should eat.... thanks!

[SweepTheLeg]

Collard Greens and sweet potato pie are two right off the bat.

Go into the place and ask.

[Lucario]

Hmmm. First of all, try Delta's in New Brunswick, an upscale soul food place.

Soul food is African American food, not exactly the same as "Southern" cuisine, but similar in that most Southern dishes are influenced by Soul food.

African Americans traditionally cooked with ham and pork, and during slavery at least, black folks usually had to make do with the worst parts of the pig (entrails such as intestines, etc.) So this is why chitterlings (chitlins), pork intestines, are often a delicacy in black homes and even restaurants.

Some of the most traditionally prevalent meat dishes are barbecued pork and beef ribs, chopped pork or beef brisket barbecue, fried chicken, fried fish (especially catfish), roasted or fried chicken or turkey wings, pigs' feet, ham hocks, fatback (as a seasoning). My late father loved organ meats like beef liver and kidneys, chicken gizzards, and even calf brains. Oxtails and neck bones are often eaten as well.

Vegetables include collard greens (as well as all kinds of other greens), spinach, turnips, cabbage, tomatoes, and even dandelion leaves.

Staples (carbs) include rice, black-eyed peas and rice (hoppin' john), red beans and rice, grits, yams, sweet potatoes (these are distinctly different), corn on the cob, corn bread, johnnycakes (corn meal or wheat cakes).

That's a good start. Ask me more questions if you have them.

[EEEPNJ]

Thanks Sunil's Dad! I don't know if I'm brave enough for Chiltlins and Intestines (and trust me, hubby is Cuban and I'm part Greek... I've seen these things, just can't do it! ) But some of the rest sounds great... I am going to try the one I saw in Hackensack (can't find it on line, I'll report back) and I would love to try Delta's one day.

Thanks!

[Lucario]

Originally Posted by EEEPNJ

Thanks Sunil's Dad! I don't know if I'm brave enough for Chiltlins and Intestines (and trust me, hubby is Cuban and I'm part Greek... I've seen these things, just can't do it! ) But some of the rest sounds great... I am going to try the one I saw in Hackensack (can't find it on line, I'll report back) and I would love to try Delta's one day.

Thanks!

I do understand, because I don't eat that stuff either. My mom (Cuban/Haitian) didn't make it, even though blacks in those countries ate that kinds of stuff too........Don't know the Hackensack place, but Delta's is absolutely great!

[EEEPNJ]

I remember my in-laws once cooked a meal, intestine lining I beleive it was. We all came home (we were living with them at the time) and my brother in law went through the roof. The smell took WEEKS to get out of the house. He told them NEVER to make it again!

[Alex07860]

Originally Posted by EEEPNJ

I remember my in-laws once cooked a meal, intestine lining I beleive it was. We all came home (we were living with them at the time) and my brother in law went through the roof. The smell took WEEKS to get out of the house. He told them NEVER to make it again!

Tripe

[EEEPNJ]

Alex, I almost DIED. But I'm 1/2 Greek. On Easter they'd do the lamb - whole lamb -and fight over who got the eyes, tounge, brain.... AAAARRRGGGHHH!!!!

And they wonder why I spent so much time in therapy.....

[Alex07860]

Originally Posted by EEEPNJ

Alex, I almost DIED. But I'm 1/2 Greek. On Easter they'd do the lamb - whole lamb -and fight over who got the eyes, tounge, brain.... AAAARRRGGGHHH!!!!

And they wonder why I spent so much time in therapy.....

I do like tripe, it's an acquired taste, I grew up w/ it from my Grandmother, now I never had eyes tongue or brain stuff, that sounds ummmm...gross.

Have you ever tried "Morzilla"? It's like a sausage/kilbasa but made out of pig's blood.

[RobRiguez]

I would never trust chitlins made by anyone but ME or maybe my sister. We used to refer to them as SH*tlins because of they arent cleaned properly you can get really really sick and they STINK and taste nasty. But when done right they are pretty good.

Mmmmm Collard greens, Sunils Dad you got me jonesing for some good ol 'home cookin'. One of the only things I really really miss about one of my exes, her mom could THROW DOWN in the kitchen boy.... Maybe I'll give her mom a call. lol