by Peggy Strickland

Created on: February 13, 2010

Cookouts can vary from the simplicity of throwing a few hamburgers and hotdogs on the grill for an impromptu supper, to a day-long affair with the camaraderie of many family and friends.  At any given time the outdoor cookout likely falls somewhere in between resulting in a summertime cooking tradition at once carefree and delicious.

Climate Driven Cookouts

Depending on the climate in certain areas of the world the idea of a long hot summer can also vary, with regional cookouts adapting to local traditions and the length of the season.

In the United States winters in the north are long and summers correspondingly short.  Cold climate residents learn to make the most of every opportunity in the warmth and sunshine, with frequent outdoor cooking a perfect activity to make the most of the season.  Here you might be treated to brats on the grill, or northern pike or salmon, as well as hamburgers and hotdogs, or the ever popular steak and baked potato. 

Along the eastern shore the cookout might come in the form of a clambake or lobster boil as well as traditional grilled foods.  

In the west it might be huge slabs of beef marinated and hearty, with native corn and fresh baked bread; or succulent morsels from the bountiful Pacific.

In the Deep South summer heat can be relentless, and sometimes seemingly endless.  Cooks in days past would flee the oppressive heat of a kitchen to prepare meals outside.  Today, with air conditioning pretty much everywhere cookouts are still popular, for similar reasons of simply enjoying the outdoors and companionship of friends, but also for the economy of keeping the kitchen and overall home environment cooler.  Here in addition to more common hamburgers and similar fare you may enjoy a low country boil, a fish fry, baby back ribs on the grill, or even a whole hog buried in coals and roasted.  Vegetables fresh from the garden, hushpuppies and home baked breads and desserts round out a sumptuous meal.

Joy of Companionship

Oftentimes a cook in the kitchen is a lonely soul, or at best with a companion chef and both cut off from family and friends while the meal is prepared.

Cookouts put the cooks square in the middle of the frivolity, with guests intermingling around the grill or cooker and all the activity in view or close at hand.

Picnic tables beckon with tantalizing aromas, snacks and appetizers.  Family and friends alternate between social conversation and games and the irresistible

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>