Again, another encounter with someone from another part of this country sparked a question within me about being Southern. My sister-in-law, a bi-racial woman who hails from out west, came to the South for graduate school, met my brother, fell in love, and decided to stick around; we adore her, so we’re glad she did. Many of my family’s discussions, or even my own personal queries about Southern culture in recent years have come from her curiosity about life in this corner of our country. She asked my brother in private why white people make so many casseroles. Of course, since we hold few secrets in our family, he thought it was hilarious and remarked upon it at the next family gathering. We shared his humorous take on her question and it sparked a discussion about whether we made casseroles for family gatherings because we’re white or because we’re Southern. And, of course, we munched on my sister’s signature Squash Hater’s Squash Casserole while we mused.

What is a casserole?

According to Wikipedia.org the definition: casserole (French: diminutive of casse, from Provençal cassa 'pan) is a large, deep pan used both in the oven and as a serving vessel. The word is also used for the food cooked and served in such a vessel, and, if so, the cookware itself is called a "casserole dish" or "casserole pan.” "Casserole" should not be confused with the word cacerola, which is Spanish for "cooking pot.”

The more recent iteration of casseroles usually involves bakeware designed to go into the oven; these generally consist of tempered glass, ceramic, stoneware, or cast iron. Casserole bakeware also act as serving dishes and come in a variety of styles and colors. According to Wikipedia, the improvements in bakeware and the marketing of cream-based canned soups allowed for easier construction and cooking of one dish meals.

https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/best-casserole-dishes-to-buy/

Are casseroles Southern?

Like many curious people on a quest for knowledge, I began my investigation into casseroles by taking an informal poll. My sister-in-law surmised all the Ritz-cracker-covered creations we served at holiday meals were something only white people cooked. However, after checking in with some of my black co-workers and friends, I verified their families’ love for casseroles matched my own family’s fondness. After determining casserole consumption crossed racial lines, I began to wonder if casseroles originated in the South. After further exploration, I determined casserole creations, while common in the South, aren’t particularly Southern in nature.

Several people I know from the Midwest explained, while they do sometimes use the word casserole to describe the multitude of one-dish meals people create, they more commonly refer to these concoctions as hot dishes. All across the country people also refer to casseroles as covered dishes. My research demonstrated, while Southerners might have their own take on casseroles, some form of one-dish meal exists throughout our vast country.

By the same token, even though people across the United States create baked one-dish meals, certain casseroles seem quintessentially Southern. Squash casserole, featuring layers of sliced squash, a creamy sauce often including sour cream, then liberally sprinkled with shredded cheese and crushed Ritz crackers, typically graces the table at Southern potlucks. No Southern Thanksgiving spread would be complete without some version of sweet potato casserole, either with or without marshmallows on top. The Tex-Mex favorite, king ranch casserole, hails from Texas and includes cheese, chicken, peppers, and corn tortillas.

The practicality of one dish meals

The practice of creating one dish meals doesn’t belong to those of us here in the United States; people create one dish meals all over the world. With our country being such a melting pot, one can find representation of these all over. Goulash originated in Hungary, but an Americanized version features elbow macaroni, ground beef, and tomato paste or soup. Several sources described hotch potch as a Scottish dish featuring lamb and vegetables. Moussaka, a dish originating in the Middle East, includes layers of potato or eggplant, ground meat, tomatoes, and a cream-based sauce.

In more recent history, one dish meals proved to be useful during times where people struggled financially, such as during the Great Depression, or during wartime when certain foods might be rationed, more expensive, or simply unavailable. For example, a mama could stretch out the family’s limited portion of meat by opening a can of creamed soup, chopping up vegetables, and covering the whole concoction with crackers or shredded cheese.

Unfortunately, the South has historically been an impoverished area and Southerners continue to struggle. According to the Southern Legislative poverty analysis, “poverty rates across the South remain high compared to other regions.” As with many Southerners, I grew up eating unhealthy foods on a regular basis, simply because that’s what my large family could afford on a tight budget. My Southern blue collar roots show in many areas of my life, including slowly training myself to eat healthier foods and steer away from deep fried, salt-laden, high carbohydrate fare.

When do we casserole nowadays?

“It’s in the freezes beautifully section of my cookbook.”

- Annelle DuPuy in Steel Magnolias

According to Wikipedia, by the 1970s casseroles took on a less than sophisticated image. Of course, Southerners aren’t always the most sophisticated people. Perhaps more impoverished or blue collar folk continued on with their casseroles while people with more means moved on to other cuisine. Southerners can be a stubborn lot, frequently hanging on to traditions when others might let them fall by the wayside (we can discuss the pros and cons to that particular mentality in another installment).

Although casseroles tend to be a holiday food for my family, people create casseroles for all kinds of occasions, including birthdays, funerals, or family reunions. Oftentimes people drop off a one-dish meal for someone has been hospitalized, particularly if their family needs to spend a lot of time by their side with limited time to cook. Families create one dish meals for weekday evenings or to finish off leftovers.

Sweet potato casserole with tiny marshmallows takes the top spot in my list of favorite holiday concoctions. A close second would be either my older sister’s broccoli-cheese casserole with the requisite Ritz crackers crumbled on top, or my younger sister’s spinach casserole - also featuring liberal amounts of cheese and crushed crackers. What’s your favorite?