American Culture: Symbols, Social Dynamics, Holidays and More

There are certain styles of cooking that Americans identify with a particular region of the country. For example, southern cooking, which is especially popular in parts of the southeast U.S., features battered and fried foods, cornbread, fruit pies and other baked goods, jams, sweetened ice tea, and other dishes.

Another example of American food is Cajun cuisine, which people heavily associate with the region in and around Louisiana. Although Cajun cooking has its roots in French and African cooking styles, the area’s early settlers evolved this type of cuisine into something wholly unique. Popular Cajun dishes in America include gumbo, boudin, jambalaya and boiled crawfish.

Closely related to Cajun cuisine is Creole cuisine, also called Louisiana Creole cuisine. Similar to Cajun food, Creole food is influenced by French and African cooking, but it also blends in elements from many other cultures and is not quite as spicy.

Specific dishes are popular in certain regions, such as baked beans in Boston, spam musubi in Hawaii and Texas toast in Texas, to name just a few. Additionally, barbecue is a popular American food in nearly every region in America, although the preferences regarding ingredients, flavors and cooking methods can differ depending on where you are.