NATIONAL BARBECUED SPARERIBS DAY Fivesome/Foursome

Get the charcoals ready as we observe National Barbecued Spareribs Day across the nation annually on July 4th.

One of the most popular days to barbecue and grill, July 4th will have the back yards, patios and beaches heating up with the flavors of spareribs. While steak is great, these inexpensive cuts of pork or beef ribs can be seasoned with spice rubs and sauces.

For the best barbecued spareribs, follow these tips for tender, delicious ribs every time.

Barbecue Tips

• Select the right meat – Choose ribs all over the bone. Fat is ok, just make sure it’s balanced, too. When you find ribs that have fat at one end, walk on by.
• Get enough – Nobody likes missing out. Half a slab per adult should be enough.
• Use a dry rub – Rubs vary. Use one that meets your family’s preferences. Apply the rub before you put the ribs on the grill, but there’s no need to let the ribs marinate in the seasonings for long.
• Low heat – The temperature of the grill should be around 200° F.
• Indirect heat – Whether you’re using charcoal or gas, the important thing to remember is to place the ribs opposite of where the coals or burners are lit.
• Use tongs – Forks will pierce the meat, letting the juices out. Turn the ribs every 20-30 minutes.
• Add sauce – When there are about 40-45 minutes of cooking time left, add the barbecue sauce. Again, use the sauce that best fits your family’s preferences.
• Rest the ribs – 15 minutes will let the meat absorb the juices that heat has forced to the outer surface. The end result is a juicer, more tender rib.

When eating spareribs, don’t wear your Sunday best. While some manners go out the window, try to maintain some decorum. Eat this sweet and messy deliciousness with your fingers, but carry plenty of napkins. Wiping your hands on your shirt is a no-no. The better the ribs, the more napkins you will need.

1. Location: Mar-A-Lawno Magnifico. 
2. Conditions: Verano; clear, breezy, warm. No finer day possible.
3. Course: Traditional.
4. Participants: First game, Mr. Balls, Surferino, Mr. Wicket, Lefty and Wick O’Shay. Second game, no Wick O'Shay.
5. Games: Dos.
6. Games winner: Lefty.
7. Highlights: Each wicket was adorned with an American flag representation secured to the wicket cross bar. Also, the stakes featured a red, white and blue eagle affixed to the top. A stirring patriotic song led off the curated American themed playlist. Had he been present, Sticky would have marched to the martial music, perhaps presenting arms with his mallet. Corky, Mr. Balls ' comfort animal, left a dark stringy poop near the fifth wicket. Perhaps it was an editorial comment about the quality of play.When informed of the course desecration, Mr. Balls immediately went on poop patrol saving the specimen in a green bag. In an outstanding display of sportsmanship, Mr. Wicket politely pointed out to a dazed and confused Surferino that the red ball being considered for play was, in fact, not Surferino's blue ball.
8. SOD: Surferino's reverse through the wicket roquet on Mr. Wicket's red ball salvaged an otherwise poor lie. 
9. Misc: The poster shown above perfectly captures the spirit and tone of the Prefunc. It was good to see  Mr. Balls. The midfunc reading material was outstanding. Dick Weiner's graphic novella drove each reader nuts.