Hushpuppy

Hushpuppy

A Hushpuppy is a small, savory, deep-fried ball made from cornmeal-based batter. Hushpuppies are a popular food in the Southern U.S., where they are commonly served as a side dish with seafood and other deep-fried foods.

History

The origin of the hushpuppy is not well-documented, though various folk tales exist. One story suggests that hushpuppies originated in the Civil War era. Soldiers would toss the fried cornmeal to their dogs to "hush the puppies" during meal times.

Preparation

Hushpuppies are made from a batter that includes cornmeal, flour, eggs, salt, baking soda, milk or buttermilk, and sometimes onion juice, spring onions, garlic, or whole kernel corn. The batter is mixed until smooth, then dropped by spoonfuls into hot oil and fried until golden brown.

Variations

There are many variations of hushpuppies. In some parts of the South, they are made with a thinner batter and are flat rather than round. Some recipes add jalapeños or other hot peppers, cheese, or bits of ham. In the Cajun and Creole cooking traditions of Louisiana, hushpuppies are often served with seafood dishes or barbecued meats.

Cultural Significance

Hushpuppies are a staple of Southern U.S. cuisine and are often associated with comfort food and home cooking. They are a common feature at fish fries and barbecues, and are also served in many restaurants that specialize in Southern-style cooking.

See Also

• Cornbread
• Southern United States cuisine
• Deep frying