Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which we also know as Columbus Day, is coming to remind us about two meaningful things. Firstly, it is our celebration of the priceless social and cultural diversity of our country. Secondly, it is our good chance to throw a big homey cookout for family and friends in the golden rays of the October sun.

Let’s see what we are going to toast on October 14, and plan a hearty barbeque menu for the holiday.

The National Meaning of Indigenous Peoples’ Day

The existence of the land, where we are going to grill meats and veggies on October 14, was reported to Europeans by Christopher Columbus in 1492.

No, the adventurous Italian wasn’t the first to discover the New World on the way from Western Europe to India. Neither was he meticulous enough to delve into and describe the nature and people he came across on the other coast of the Atlantic. History rumors that Columbus was rather a cruel colonizer than a peaceful explorer.

Still, what happened in the end of the 15th century stayed in the end of the 15th century.

Columbus’ expeditions sparked the interest of the Old World’s inhabitants in the new lands and the mysteries they had been concealing for hundreds of years. Until today, this interest hasn’t waned.

Today, when we have a five-century experience to look back and assess Columbus and his crew’s deeds, we can clearly recognize what we are celebrating on Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples’ Day. (The latter name of the holiday is getting more and more popular.)

So, let’s toast the diversity and peace in our communities, our country, and our world.

Grab yourself some wine, beer, lemonade, or ice tea, and pair your beverage with scrumptious barbeque.

Barbeque – The Holiday Specialty and Activity

It is a perfect idea for celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The festive BBQ has already become an integral culinary tradition in our families. But interestingly, this tradition takes its roots in ancient Native American and African cuisines.

Original barbeque is a method for roasting meat, poultry, or fish on a wooden framework, resting on wooden sticks, over an indirect flame. Modern metal grills operate basing on this simple technique.

The spread of the barbeque cooking technique across North America is attributed to Columbus’ Spanish followers who were moving to the north of the continent during their expeditions in the 16th century. Gradually, the BBQ has turned into the one of our all-time favorite meals. And traditional American cuisine can hardly be imagined without it.

Barbequing in a modern American manner includes grilling, roasting, smoking, and braising meats, mushrooms, vegetables, and even fruit. Choose the method you like and check the delicious holiday recipes below.

Hint: If you have your own secret ingredient or special cooking tip passed from generation to generation in your family, don’t hesitate to use them while concocting the festive dinner.

Pork BBQ

Pork barbeque is believed to originate from the southern states – Virginia and the Carolinas. In the South, the traditional dressing for meat is vinegar. But this flavorful feature of the local BBQ might settle down in the southern cuisine while British colonists were settling down on the southern territories. The British used vinegar to preserve juice within meat while cooking.

Let’s try out this time-tested method.

To stay sure that your pork BBQ will be out of this world, choose either secreto, or tenderloin, or loin.

For secreto and tenderloin, prepare the fragrant seasoning you like the most:

• Paprika + onion powder + garlic powder + peppercorns mix
• Sea salt and chili pepper mix
• Sea salt and dried citrus mix.

Yes, pork pairs well with lemons and oranges.

The further action plan is as simple as pie. Sprinkle the seasoning over the meat. And grill the meat covered, over medium heat, turning occasionally. You will need about 25 minutes for cooking and five minutes more for letting the meat cool before you slice it.

And what about marinated pork chops? For the marinade you’ll need:

• 1 tbsp. mustard
• 1/4 c. balsamic vinegar
• 3/4 c. olive oil, walnut oil, or almond oil
• 1 tbsp. lemon juice
• 2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 minced garlic clove
• salt and pepper to taste.

Put the marinade and meat to a large releasable plastic bag and refrigerate overnight. Then, drain the meat, discarding the marinade. Grill the chops covered and over medium heat, for four-five minutes on each side. Before serving, let the meat cool for five minutes more.

Serve the pork chops with grilled corn or grilled eggplants, family coleslaw, hushpuppies, or artichokes.

Beef BBQ

Beef barbeque served with tomato-based sauces is mostly a Midwest staple. But even if you aren’t from Midwest and still prefer veal to pork, you will like this gourmet recipe for marinated beef ribeyes.

At first sight, it does look ordinary. But in this case, simplicity is key.

The marinade is simple:

• 1 tbsp. soy sauce
• 3 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 tbsp. red wine vinegar
• 3 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp. hot pepper spread or sauce
• 1 minced garlic clove
• rosemary and oregano mix to taste.

So are the directions. Just put the marinade and meat to a plastic bag and refrigerate for at least four hours. Then, drain the steaks and grill them covered, over a medium heat, until the meat reaches preferred doneness. That’s about five-seven minutes per side. Let the steaks cool and serve.

And here are the sumptuous accompaniments for serving:

• Foie gras. Surprisingly, beef perfectly gets along with this delicacy. The texture and savor of grilled beef highlight full-bodied flavor of foie gras.
• Black truffles. They will complement the meat wonderfully, turning the meal into a firework of tastes all across your and your guests’ tongues.
• Fig condiment. Figs make a successful pairing to beef. The condiment will be a great choice if you like the combination of fruit sweetness and piquancy in meats.

Duck BBQ

Duck barbeque is an excellent idea for the celebration if you want to try something different from traditional pork and veal. Duck meat is a generous source of protein and B-vitamins. Despite its specific, strong flavor, duck tastes fabulous with many berries and fruit.

Check out the recipe below and see how to cook and serve duck at its best. Just make sure you stocked up on fresh duck breasts and charcoal for the grill.

Duck is friendly to marinades. What’s more, marinating this meat takes considerably less time than marinating pork or beef – one-two hours in the refrigerator. The marinade’s ingredients are also absolutely earthy:

• 3/4 c. duck stock
• 1/4 c. balsamic vinegar
• 4 tbsp. honey
• 1 tbsp. ginger, grated
• salt and pepper to taste.

Before marinating duck breasts, through the skin on them, cut incisions in a crosswise pattern every 3-4 inches. But don’t cut into the meat.

Here are the directions: 

1. When the meat is marinated, preheat the grill and cook the breasts over direct heat, with the skin side down, for one-two minutes. Turn the breasts over only once.
2. Then, cover the meat and cook it over indirect heat, with the skin side down, for eight-ten minutes more.
3. Uncover the breasts and cook them over direct heat again, with the meat side down, for two-four minutes.
4. Let the meat stand under aluminum foil  for a few minutes before serving.
5. When cutting the breasts for serving, keep the slices thick enough, so the meat won’t lose its juiciness.
6. Serve with grilled veggies, dried apricots, orange marmalade, or raspberry jam.

Cheese & veggies BBQ

Some foodies say that a barbeque that doesn’t have meat is just a variation (or parody) of the real barbeque. But grilling meats takes more time than grilling veggies and cheeses. So, these guys can be served as great starters to tame the appetites, heated up with mouthwatering odors of grilling pork, beef, or poultry.

Here are a few outstanding ideas.

Take a look at these grilled peppers stuffed with bacon and blue cheese.

You will need about 20 minutes and the listed ingredients for cooking:

• 5-6 peppers (opt for yellow, orange, and red ones)
• 1 green onion, sliced thinly
• 5-6 bacon strips, crumbed
• 1 c. blue cheese, crumbled
• 4-5 oz. cream cheese.

What will you need to do?

1. In a bowl, mix the sliced onion, crumbled bacon, and cheeses until blended.
2. Cut the peppers into quarters. Remove stems and seeds. Grill the peppers covered, over medium heat for two-three minutes per side.
3. Remove the peppers from the grill and stuff each with the bacon and cheese blend. Grill the peppers again for two minutes until the blue cheese melts.

Speaking of grilled vegetables and cheeses, you can also try the following combinations:

• Gorgonzola and grilled sweet potatoes
• Ricotta and grilled zucchini
• Burrata and grilled tomatoes.

Also, grilled cheese tastes heavenly with black caviar. So, if you plan to impress, it will be a smart idea to bring a jar of Siberian sturgeon caviar with you.

Fruit BBQ

Fruit barbeque will be an original dessert, perfectly fitting the fall celebration.

If the weather is warm enough, you can serve grilled fruit with vanilla and chocolate ice cream. If the weather isn’t for ice cream and cool drinks, teas or cocoa for kinds and wine for adults will turn to be very suitable options.

Grill whatever you and your dearest like:

• Apples (they are wonderful with Brie)
• Peaches or nectarines (dress them with honey)
• Watermelon (bring some mint for it)
• Bananas and pineapples (to put a tropical finishing touch).

You are welcome to experiment with the listed BBQ recipes and use them to bring your own culinary ideas into being.

Enjoy the celebration, the meals, and the time you are sharing with your dearest and nearest.

Marky’s wishes you a happy and peaceful Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2019!