Orcish Cusine: Kriia

Living in a warm, predominantly arid environment, Stoneheart cuisine is distinct from most of it's neighboring nations and cultures. It is at times simplied to be simply "orcish cuisine" as it is the only Orcish nation in T'sara. Lacking an indigenous domesticated animal but hearty in hunt pray and herdable beasts, traditional Stoneheart cuisine is meat heavy and lacks dairy found in neighboring countries, though there is a fair amount of importation in modern times.

History

Hunting has traditionally been a communal activity, especially for the larger game beasts. As a result, food was typically cooked in large amounts and shared communally as well. Although the need for large hunting parties has been reduced in the Third Age, the tradition for familial or communal eating remains. Cooking solely for ones self is considered selfish and eating alone is commonly considered rude, unless ill. In the past, all parts of a hunted animal were likely to be cooked out of necessity. Some organs or body parts have been found to become more unpalatable. Hooves or other feet are the most likely to be discarded.

Execution

The most common form of Stoneheart cooking is Kriia, where meat is cooked directly over an open flame. Grown vegetables are typically cooked alongside the meats over the same flame, put on at the last moment so that all food is taken off at the same time. Because the beasts in question tend to be large, and orcs themselves have larger statures than other sentients, the servings from a Kriia tend to be quite large as well.

Observance

Typically associated with the coming of summer and the approaching dry season, there is a tradition in some pockets of Stoneheart to only eat light amounts of other food through the day, such as imported and harvested rice or beans, making the Kriia the only full meal that the community has. This is measured by the lunar year and goes from one full moon to the next, typically near the middle of the calendar year.

Foreigners from other species are welcomed in Stoneheart communal eating; especially a Kriia. Their communal hospitality requires them to at least offer guests to eat with them. Guests are served identical portions to that of the rest of the group; doing less would appear to be treating the guest as than less worthy or less welcome in their eyes.
Guests, Orcish or not, are invited but not required to assist in the preparation or cleaning.