04/24/2024
While my wife might joke that every Argentinian can grill and play the guitar, the connection between Asado and
Argentinian culture is undeniable. While I may not be the best musician, Asado has been an essential element of
our culture for centuries. In the early 16th century, European settlers introduced cattle to the fertile plains of La
Pampa. With favorable conditions and few predators, the cattle population boomed, reaching 4 million within a
century. So, a long time ago, Gauchos (Argentinian Cowboys), would find a wild cow, get their Facon ready (big
knife), and grill her ribs for 4 or 5 hours, the tongue, and a few more cuts. That was the beginning of Argentinian
Asado. (And that’s why the rack of ribs is also named Asado.)
They hung them vertically, near an open fire, resting in a spear stuck to the ground, shaped like a cross. And as
there was no agriculture at the time they just ate the meat. Just juicy tender meat. And that stayed with us forever.
Even Rebecca noticed, after joining us a few times, that Argentinian Asados go basically around meat. Sometimes
we grill some veggies for our vegan friends.
Then, in the late 1800s, we had a big European immigration bringing their traditions, and they brought the horizontal
grill (Parrilla), as we know it today.
Someone told them, If you want to be a true Argentinian you must eat Asado all the time. And they said “ok” and loved it.
Asado became the main dish in every Argentinian family.
Argentinians love quality time with their friends and family. And Sundays became official family day. Everyone
hangs, since early in the morning, in front of an open fire, in a 1000-course meal till someone brings the sweets and
mate late in the afternoon.
Asado became the way we shared happy moments, laughter, and delicious food. Asado became the same for
people of all backgrounds.
If you are interested in being part of the Asado Experience near Asheville give me a call or
send me an email and I will come with my Argentinian Gaucho-style grill and all my passion for this big piece of Argentinai culture and tradition. Always with a nice piece of bread to soak in the meat juices. fuegosgrillcatering.com
