Hushpuppy

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For other uses, see Hush puppies.

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A pile of Hushpuppies

Hushpuppies or Hush puppies is an American term for small cornmeal breads that are deep fried in a spherical or oblong shape. The usual ingredients include cornmeal, flour, eggs, salt, baking soda, milk, and water, and can include onions and pepper. Sometimes, pancake batter is also used. The batter is mixed well, adjusting ingredients until it is suitably thick. Then the batter is dropped into hot oil (such as vegetable oil). The cook is able to tell that the oil is hot enough when the hushpuppy floats to the surface. The hush puppy is typically fried until golden brown, and then set on a paper towel to absorb some of the oil before it is consumed. They are often eaten with catfish, seafood, or barbecue. They are usually made at home or served in restaurants that advertise home-style food as opposed to fine dining establishments. Captain D's, Long John Silver's, Arthur Treacher's, and Skipper's are well-known franchises that serve hush puppies. They are a hearty, heavy food that can easily be eaten while active or mobile as a snack or in addition to a meal.

Hushpuppies are a distinctly Southern food, associated with cajun dishes and soul food, though they are now commonly served across America at fried fish fast food restaurants. One story dates back to American slavery saying that slaves used the scraps they were fed mixed with other ingredients to create hush puppies. They would then be fed to dogs in order to get them to "hush".^{[citation needed]} Another story dates them back to 1727, claiming they were created by Ursuline Nuns who came to New Orleans from France. The Nuns named them croquettes de maïs (morsels of maise).^{[citation needed]} Yet another story claims that hunters and trappers would give these to their hungry, whining dogs to hush them.^{[citation needed]} An older, far less common term for them is 'dough boys'.^{[citation needed]} The name hushpuppy is explained by various stories involving the central theme of throwing this cornmeal goodie to a dog (puppy) with the command 'quiet!' or 'hush!'.^{[citation needed]}