One prevalent aspect of many typical southern foods is the deep-fried batter. The sensation of biting into a crispy outer shell with a tender inside has attracted many of those that live in the southern regions of the United States. One of the delicacies that I have been introduced to while living in the south are Hush Puppies. These golden brown nuggets consist of a thick cornmeal batter, typically in a ball shape. Commonly eaten as an appetizer, this dish can accompany many other southern delicacies such as catfish. Even though the concept of frying cornmeal has been around for a long time, the specific term wasn’t coined until the 1900’s. While there are many stories on where the name originates, the general consensus is that it came from appeasing whining dogs. Whether they were hunting companions that came with southern catfish fishers or dogs that followed soldiers during the Civil War, many of the stories include the phrase “hush puppy!” Along with the unique name, there are many nicknames for the cornmeal treat: Red Horse Bread, Wampus, Red Devils and Three Finger Bread. Despite the various names coming from different regions, many people know it as the iconic Hush Puppy. There are also many stories on where they came from, speculations varying from Atlanta to South Carolina. Although the specifics are unclear, there’s no doubt that this convenient food comes from the south. With the rise in popularity in southern foods, hush puppies have made it around the country, appearing in states as far as California. The specific reason this dish got popular was when tourists traveled to Florida to fish when they encountered the food in restaurants around. When first encountering this food when I was younger, I was perplexed by the unique name. The fried cornmeal was much more pleasant than the initial presentation. Even with the plethora of fried foods in the south, Hush Puppies rightfully have their own recognition with those that enjoy the treat.