What are some staples of Southern cooking?

Soul food—traditional African-American cuisine that includes savory items such as pork, fried chicken, steak, cornbread and collard greens--are what come most readily to mind when Southern cooking is mentioned. However, Southern cooking as a whole is much more influenced by a variety of cultures. The fare encompasses Cajun and Creole food, pit barbecue (different to each state), Lowcountry cuisine from South Carolina and the bare-bones Appalachian cuisine. Most, if not all Southern styles, are also influenced by ingredients and preparations common among American Indians.