As a Latina transplant in the South I was in for quite a culture shock in terms of food. My husband is Southern born and bred, and our son is following his footsteps…he loves his collard greens!
Before we got married my husband would often say, “A way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” He even asked me if I knew how to cook! Ha! Sure I do, but I was in for a big surprise, he was referring to southern cooking! Uh oh!
I had no clue what were collard greens? How about putting hot sauce on your fried chicken? Huh!!! Fried green tomatoes? Seriously, who eats fried green tomatoes? Southerners, do! Baked beans? Are those sweetened beans, no way! Casserole what? Everything is in a “casserole”. Oh, and don’t get me started on the turkey’s stuffing that’s called “dressing” here in the south! Dressing is what I pour over my salads, people; and it’s definitely not the turkey’s stuffing! OK, enough of my culture food shock ranting. {Big smile!}
I had a hard time adapting my taste buds to this new form of cooking and eating. However, I did an extensive research on southern cooking, bought cookbooks, and looked for recipes on-line. I learned how to cook southern food. My hubby proudly boasts of how his wife can really cook some soul food! My son and husband truly enjoy eating their collards, BBQ, baked beans and everything southern. I especially love it, when little one asks, “Momma, can I have more collard greens please?” I’m proud of myself too! I actually enjoy southern cuisine, and when eating fried chicken I ask hubby to pass me the hot sauce. Ha!

Our son is having the best of both worlds, especially when it comes to food! My next post will be about food that I grew up with: Puerto Rican cuisine! Buen provecho!
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Oh, I love this! I am from North Carolina, so it is so much fun to read an "outsider" view of my home! Good for you for being such a good sport and jumping right in to cook some foods your husband loves. Wish I lived closer – I would definitely be stopping by for dinner sometime soon! Will be featuring this on my Facebook page tomorrow! (www.facebook.com/alldonemonkey)
Thanks Leanna!! I've acquired a taste for Southern cooking, and I'm pretty good at it! LOL Of course, if you'd lived closer I'd love for you to come over for dinner. 🙂
Oh I love fried green tomatoes and collard greens! My family on my Mom's side is from the south and these things are traditions!
Enjoyed your post and am now a follower!
So glad to have found you through the "Shrimp & Grits" blog hop!
Lisa H.
lisastuf.blogspot.com