The Origins of Soul Food

Fried chicken, breaded and fried fish are very important in soul food. Some scholars have suggested that tradition might have actually come from West Africa directly because of oil palm. Frying is a good way to cook if you don't have an oven, right? And ovens were historically very expensive. How do you tell people that it's time to leave behind your heritage? Because your lifestyle has changed so drastically and you don't need that many calories anymore.