Definition of "Southern"

But although Southern cooking makes use of a cornucopia of vegetables, it also typically includes generous portions of meat and fried chicken. Even vegetable dishes and breads are often cooked with animal fat: Greens are fried in bacon grease [...]

1993, Lillian Kayte, Southern Surprise, published in the June 1993 issue of the Vegetarian Times, page 36

Southern cooking makes its presence felt throughout the northern half of the state. Vegetables such as okra, collard greens, black-eyed peas, fried green tomatoes, and fried eggplant are added to staples such as fried chicken, roast beef, and hogjaw — meat from the mouth of a pig.

2004, Mark Ellwood, Todd Obolsky, Ross Velton, The Rough Guide to Florida, page 34