Memorial Day in Pune

Memorial Day 2013: cast iron skillet corn bread, mac n cheese, grilled corn on the cob, collard greens with ham hock, BBQ chicken, sweet potato mash

Memorial Day -- To me, aside from the 4th of July, this is the quintessential American holiday to celebrate our freedom fighters, and ring in the unofficial start of summer with the necessary commencement barbecue. Where I'm from in NJ, small towns have parades, the grills get dusted off after the cold winter, beaches begin to fill with tourists, and parents everywhere spend at least 30 minutes trying to coordinate their kids' (and sometimes their own) red, white, and blue outfits. 

Even though we couldn't be in the states this Memorial Day, we drummed up some interest in getting a few of our friends together for a potluck BBQ.  It'd been a while since I had any traditional American food, and I've been a bit homesick these past two weeks, so it seemed like the perfect thing to lift my spirits.

My partner went out and bought a Weber charcoal grill which cost about $230.00 USD, but in my opinion that was money well spent because it appears that 9 months out of the year are PERFECT BBQ weather! 

I made some sides and desserts and grabbed a case of local beer. I would have gotten Corona but when the "liquor shoppee" clerk pulled it out from the back under a crate of room temperature wine (room temperature = 39ºC/104ºF) and quoted me a price of $115.00 USD, I almost had a heart attack.  Sure does make the domestic stuff taste better ;-)

Our hallelujah-worthy Memorial Day buffet!!

Since it was a work night we started early, and once everyone came with their dishes we ended up with a this awesome feast!  I have to say, I have some pretty talented chefs for friends!  

I'm happy that we were able to recreate this very American tradition, and for our friends who were being exposed to this US holiday for the first time, it was a pleasure to share it and include them in the celebration :-) Happy Memorial Day!