Barbecue or barbeque (often abbreviated as BBQ) means both a method of preparing meat and a cooking device, involving the heat and such fuels as wood, charcoal or natural gas. The process often includes the usage of barbecue sauce or marinade to baste meat. The result of this cooking process is also called “barbecue”, as well as a party where such food is served. Homemade barbecue is usually prepared in an outdoor environment using special equipment, like barbecue pit, smoker or grill. In restaurants barbecue is cooked in big brick or metal ovens and served with garnish. Barbecue has many variations all over the world, its recipes may include not only traditional pork, but also beef, chicken, lamb, fish, frankfurters and even vegetables.
The etymology of barbecue is obscure. Some scientists believe that the term has Spanish and Haitian origins, meaning “a latticework of strokes”, others claim that it is translated as “a sacred fire pit”. The most incredible explanation is that the French borrowed this word from the Caribbean natives. According to this version, during their visit to the Caribbean, the French noticed a new method of cooking a pig in whole, and described it like “barbe a queue”, translated as “from beard to tail”. However, the history gives evidence that barbecue meant a deep hole in the ground where a pot was put. The juices from meat leaked into the pot, forming a thick appetizing broth. After that “barbicoa” was covered with maguey leaves. Later the notion of barbecue moved into Spanish, English and French.
In the United States barbecue was first introduced by the American Indians living in the area of today's South Carolina. Of course, such cooking method as barbecuing meat on fire was invented many thousands years ago, when people learned to handle fire. However, the know-how of the native Americans consisted in using of hot spices and seasoning. Later, during the American Civil War, people were so poor that ate the whole pig including feet and ears. The day a pig was slaughtered became a real celebration where all the neighbors were invited to share that galore. These gatherings were traditionally called “pig-pickin's”, being a prototype of today's barbecue parties. |