In the heart of the American South, cookouts are more than just a gathering; they're a celebration of community, tradition, and the simple pleasures of life. The food, in particular, is a testament to the region's rich culinary heritage, where comfort foods and homemade delights take center stage. Among the array of dishes, 15 classic Southern snacks stand out, each with its own unique story and flavor profile. These dishes are not just about satisfying hunger; they're about sharing stories, preserving traditions, and creating memories. Let's delve into the world of these iconic snacks, exploring their origins, flavors, and the special place they hold in Southern hearts.
Pimento Cheese Pinwheels
Pimento cheese is a Southern staple, often served as a dip or between slices of white bread. But at cookouts, it transforms into a delightful snack. By rolling it into pinwheels with cream cheese and flattened bread or tortillas, the humble pepper-pocked cheese spread becomes a portable, shareable treat. Some variations even incorporate herbs, jalapeños, chili crisps, bacon, or sausage, adding a kick to the classic flavor.
Grape Jelly Meatballs
Grape jelly is a beloved condiment in the South, and it finds its way into countless recipes. Grape jelly meatballs, simmering in slow cookers, are a perfect example. The defining sauce, a mixture of grape jelly and chili sauce, adds a sweet and spicy kick. Today, variations often include barbecue sauce, sriracha, Worcestershire sauce, or even bourbon, making these meatballs a versatile and exciting addition to any cookout.
Pickled Okra
Okra, a love-hate relationship for many Southerners, finds its redemption in pickling. By brining the little "lady's fingers" in a seasoned vinegar-and-dill brine, the slime factor is minimized, and a delightful crunch is achieved. Pickled okra can be enjoyed on its own or served with crackers, cheeses, and dips. In some Southern towns, the tangy, briny juice is even drizzled over salty potato chips, creating a unique culinary experience.
Hoecakes
Hoecakes, also known as journey cakes or johnny cakes, are simple yet beloved circles of flattened, fried cornbread. Legend has it that the name comes from long-ago farm workers using their hoes to balance cornmeal-batter discs over fire-pit flames. Today, they're fried in hot cast iron skillets, sometimes with stir-ins of herbs, chiles, and corn kernels. Miniature versions are a common sight at summer get-togethers, often accompanied by honey or sorghum molasses for drizzling.
Benne Wafers
Benne wafers, a Southern snack that flies under the radar, are crispy, thin, and sweet-savory wafers that pair easily with dips, cheeses, or as side-step nibblers with cocktails. The West African term for sesame, benne, explains the savory, nutty flavor. These wafers hold a solid presence in the culinary circles of the Carolinas, where they originated in Lowcountry Gullah communities. They can be found online for extra cookout intrigue.
Peanut Patties
Peanuts are synonymous with the state of Georgia, thanks to Jimmy Carter's presidency. Peanut patties, a sweet, slightly chewy, praline-like snack, are beloved across the South. Crunchy peanuts are guaranteed in every bite, and these patties often find their place on the dessert end of a cookout table. However, they're best enjoyed promptly, as they tend to disappear quickly.
Pickled Watermelon Rind
Pickled watermelon rinds are a misunderstood delicacy in the world of Southern pickles. The rind, trimmed from the juicy red flesh, pickles beautifully into a sweet and spicy treat. The long-loved generational practice involves brining with distilled white or apple cider vinegar, sugar, garlic, and various warming spices. It's a light, tangy, crunchy snack, perfect for hot summer days, and can be diced into a tasty relish or chutney for cookout finger foods.
Southern-Style Shrimp Paste
Southern-style shrimp paste is a fresh, light, creamy spread made by blending shrimp and butter or mayonnaise. The taste can be customized with hot sauce, spices, sherry, or lemon juice. At outdoor gatherings, it's often piled on sliced baguettes, slipped into crustless tea-sandwich cubes, or chilled as a spread for crackers or veggie-dipping.
Hushpuppies with Comeback Sauce
Hushpuppies, often served as a sidekick to fried catfish, are a crunchy, cornmeal-based snack. When toothpick-speared and dipped in comeback sauce, a sassy, smokey, spicy concoction from Mississippi, they become a must-have at cookouts. The name implies a return for more, reflecting the infamous Mississippi goodbye: "Y'all come back, ya hear?"
Toasted Pecans, Candied or Spiced
Toasted pecans are a Southern staple, often enjoyed plain-toasted with butter and salt, candied with brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla, or spiced with Worcestershire sauce, cayenne, ground mustard, or Tabasco. The three core ways to serve them are versatile, and either way, they're a delightful addition to any cookout.
Fried Pickles with Remoulade Sauce
Fried pickles are a simple yet satisfying snack, enjoyed by neighbors and friends alike. They can be made at home using store-bought or homemade sliced dill pickles, soaked in buttermilk and black pepper, and then deep-fried in a mixture of cornmeal and flour. A classic New Orleans-style remoulade sauce complements the pickles perfectly.
Sour Candied Frozen Grapes
Sour candied frozen grapes are a unique and refreshing treat. Grapes coated in a blast of sugar and various optional ingredients like lime juice, citric acid, monk sweetener, or flavored gelatin powder before freezing for easy eating. The icy shock of these grapes is a welcome addition to any cookout, especially on hot summer days.
Fig Flatbread
Fig flatbreads, made with crispy flatbreads piled high with sliced, fresh, sweet, ripe figs, caramelized onions, and crumbly cheese, along with fresh herbs and balsamic vinegar, are a delightful addition to any cookout. Vino lovers can even poach the figs in red wine for an extra layer of complexity.
Boiled Peanuts
Boiled peanuts, a soft, boiled legume, are a beloved snack in the South. While they're not commercially feasible today, they can still be found at roadside stands or gas stations. Making them at home for summer cookout snacking is easy. Just boil raw in-shell peanuts in salted water with optional Cajun spices for about five to eight hours. Serve in warm, soggy shells, as peeling is part of the fun.
MoonPies and Goo Goo Clusters
MoonPies and Goo Goo Clusters are throwback candies that evoke a sense of "country-cool" at summer shindigs. MoonPies, with their fluffy, chocolate-covered discs, are a Tennessee invention, and can be found at Cracker Barrel stores, Dollar Tree, and on Amazon. Goo Goo Clusters, also from Tennessee, are another iconic treat, now available online.
In the South, these snacks are more than just food; they're a way of life, a celebration of community, and a testament to the region's rich culinary heritage. Whether it's the sweet and spicy grape jelly meatballs, the tangy pickled okra, or the crunchy hushpuppies, each snack tells a story and brings people together. So, the next time you attend a cookout in the South, take a bite of these classic snacks and savor the flavors that have been passed down through generations.
