| A spit roast is a way to cook meat, historically very | | | | that specialize in spit roast meats. This type of cooking |
| large sections of meat. There is a long metal rod that | | | | results in a juicy tender meat. |
| the meat is skewed on and there is a fire under the | | | | Traditionally in the west an entire cow was placed on |
| meat. The meat is than rotated over the open fire, | | | | a spit roast to cook. An image of cowboys around an |
| allowing the meat to cook in its own juices. | | | | open fire roasting a large slab of meat is commonly |
| During medieval times the spit was the only way to | | | | associated with the west. Of course today that |
| cook meat. In early modern indoor kitchens the spit | | | | practice is not quite as common. There are services |
| roast was still a favored way of cooking meat. This in | | | | available that specialize in providing a roast for special |
| its early days was a labor intensive way to cook | | | | events. Typically the food is par cooked off site than |
| meat. Before modern mechanics took hold, a young | | | | the remainder of the cooking is done at the event. |
| servant boy would stand at the roast and turn the | | | | A spit roast is still very much in use and the preferred |
| handle all day to ensure even cooking. This young boy | | | | cooking method for many countries worldwide. It is a |
| was called a spit jack. | | | | favored cooking method in the Mideast, where goat is |
| Over time mechanical turnspits were invented these | | | | the number one stable. Greece uses a spit roast to |
| mechanical turnspits are called roasting jacks. These | | | | cook their top meat the lamb. This cooking method is |
| mechanical roasts were first powered by dogs on a | | | | still favored in many places around the world as the |
| treadmill, then by steam power and mechanical clock | | | | premier method of cooking meats. The slow roast |
| works. Modern styles are powered by electric motors. | | | | process leaves meat juicy and very tender. Typically |
| A spit roast today is used to cook large animals like | | | | the meat is skewed onto the spit roast and left to |
| goats, beef even turkeys have made the list, and are | | | | cook an entire day. This slow cook method is often |
| usually only used for special occasions, where there | | | | the center piece of family gatherings. |
| will be a lot of people to feed. There are restaurants | | | | |