I love spicy food and have no trouble with it...my favorite is siracha now but do have Tabasco also. Don't forget, Mexican food can be hot also!
I'm partial to most any dish that has roots in 'Orleans. Seafood or Crawfish Gumbo ( when in season ) is a great add to any outdoor party. My all time favorite is Red Beans and Rice. You can mix up the sausage and seasoning so it's never boring. I wash it down with a big bottle of RC cola with a small bag of dumped in. Now that's Southern!
I never used to eat sweet potatoes but recently discovered them wanting to have more potassium. They are very good. A cake sound good also!
When I was growing up, a favorite of my brothers and myself was mom's Sweet Potato casserole with marshmallows.
OOPS, I misread your post Kitty. I thought you said "possum". I've always heard sweet potatoes were good with 'possum.
'Possum wit sweet tater stuffin'! Dat's why ya leave da hade on it so ya can put a tater in it's mouff before ya put in on da table. Ah hates da taste but it shore makes it more purdy dat way. Dee udder ting good bout the sweet tater is dat it don't got no buckshot in dem to spit out while you eatin' dem.