Melt butter in a heavy skillet. Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic and saut until they are softened. Stir in the black pepper, cayenne, salt, and cumin, and saut 2 or 3 minutes more.

Place the vegetables in a large bowl. Add remaining ingredients and mix well with your hands.

Mound the meat into a 9x5 loaf pan. I sometimes add strips of bacon over the top.

Bake, uncovered, at 350F for 40 minutes.

Raise oven temperature to 400F and bake another 20 to 30 minutes.

If you wish, brush with another tablespoon of barbecue sauce 10 minutes before meatloaf is done.