Food characteristic of and preferred by black persons, esp of Southern culture (1957+ Black)
the foods and techniques associated with the African American cuisine of the United States. The term was first used in print in 1964 during the rise of "black pride," when many aspects of African American culture-including soul music-were celebrated for their contribution to the American way of life. The term celebrated the ingenuity and skill of cooks who were able to form a distinctive cuisine despite limited means