With a climate unsuited to either coffee or sugar, this became the destination of many German and Italian immigrants who raised cattle and grew a variety of crops. They brought the knowledge of how to make wine and grow leafy vegetables with them and those foods are found in this region's dishes.  The heritage of the Northeast coast, based on slave labor and a plantation economy, was distinct from that of the South and Southeast, where plantations existed along with small family farms. Such historical differences partly account for contemporary contrasts between these regions.  This region includes the states of: Santa Catarina, Parana, and Rio Grande do Sul.  The popular meal in the south region of Brazil is churrasco.  Churrasco consist of a large variety of meats including chicken, beef, sausage and pork. It is usually sliced and barbequed, served with rice and a variety of salads.