People reminisce about the good qualities of soul food. Whether it is piles of BBQ or memorable side dishes, soul food holds a high spot in many hearts. This June, we celebrate National Soul Food Month and talk about its origins. It has come a long way since its creations and is still being celebrated in different ways.

Where did soul food begin, though? While the term soul food was only starting to be used in 1960, its characteristics were developed way before that. Early versions of soul food were created back in colonial America. This time was notoriously tough for African-Americans as many lived in poor conditions, more and more so as slavery developed in this country. The slaves were often given undesirable cuts of meat and other products as their only source of food. It was because of this that they found ways to transform these meager ingredients into great meals.

Even after the abolishment of slavery, the practice of making soul food stayed. In the year 1960, these meals were officially titled “soul food” as it was being served in restaurants (First We Feast).

While today we don’t use low-quality ingredients anymore, soul food is still highly popular. Many ways of making soul food exist now. The most popular soul food dishes are often deep-fried or baked, including dishes such as fried okra and fried catfish. The food is often prepared in ways that are similar to how the slaves prepared it, but there are now new forms as well, some of them being healthier versions of the originals while others introduce ingredients that were unavailable originally. Now many places cook and sell soul food worldwide.

With the popularity soul food has gained, it is not hard to find it in everyday life. You may consider picking up something from Every Little Thing Jamaican in Suisun or sitting down and enjoying a meal at JJ’s Fish and Chicken in Fairfield. And, of course, there’s always Soul Let’s Eat in Vallejo or Chez Soul  in Fairfield. With so many choices, you might have to spend all of National Soul Food Month experiencing the historic roots and modern changes in soul food.