It is called barbecue grill used to grill food outdoors.
The term barbecue is used in different ways depending on the geographical region. The first meanings mentioned by the Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ) refer to the grill that is used to roast food outdoors and to all the meals that are prepared with this system.
For example: "Tonight I will prepare pork on the barbecue at my parents' house" , "Matías bought a new barbecue and invited us to try it out for the first time" , "I want to eat a fish barbecue" .
What is a barbecue
As an element for grilling food, the barbecue can also be called a rotisserie or grill . It is generally made up of an iron grid where the meats or vegetables are placed. This grate is placed over the fire, at a certain distance to prevent the food from burning. In this way, the heat reaches the food slowly, which cooks little by little. It is common that, in the last instance of the process, the barbecue is brought closer to the flames to brown the meat and make it somewhat crispy.
The barbecue, grill , roast or asadero , on the other hand, is the name that can be given to all foods prepared in this or a similar way. Although its ingredients vary by country, it frequently includes beef, pork and chicken. It can also have organ meats (achuras) or sausages, such as chinchulines, kidneys, blood sausages and chorizos .
The smoky flavor that characterizes this preparation can also be enjoyed by vegans, who refuse to consume products of animal origin. In other words, beyond chopped or sliced vegetables, it is possible to bring a large number of recipes made from vegetable ingredients, such as seitan, to the barbecue. There are even those who prepare pizza this way, which offers a result similar to stone baking, typical of pizzerias.
The barbecue sauce is prepared with tomato, honey, vinegar and spices.
Origin of the term
Barbecue is not simply a food term or cooking technique, but represents an important part of the culture of many countries. Although it is perfectly acceptable to prepare a barbecue for yourself, it is most normal for this preparation to be carried out as part of a gathering between friends or family, or even at special events celebrated by the authorities of a school or sports club. which many people attend.
Regarding the term itself, the etymology of barbecue is very interesting. Originally, the word barbecue appeared in Haiti , used by the Tainos that Columbus and other immigrants found when they arrived on the American continent with the purpose of conquering new lands . The Taínos were aborigines from South America , who arrived in boats to the Caribbean islands more than six centuries ago, mainly to Guarania .
The Haitians used grills that they called this way to grill meat , and the Spanish appropriated the term. Despite what many may think, barbecue does not derive from English, but rather came to this language after having passed through ours. In some Spanish-speaking countries, such as Chile , the English word is used, although it is pronounced in a way that uses the sounds of Spanish; In this particular case, the pronunciation is "barbiquiú" .
According to another of the various versions of the etymology of barbacoa , the original term belonged to the Mayans, and its translation into Spanish would be "meat covered with earth."
The barbecue sauce
Finally, it is known as barbecue sauce , a dressing that is used to accompany roast meat.
Its ingredients usually include tomato sauce , honey, spices and vinegar.