what are hush puppies

Hush puppies are small, savory, deep-fried balls made from a cornmeal-based batter. They are typically crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside and are often served as a side dish with seafood or barbecued foods. The batter usually includes ingredients such as cornmeal, flour, egg, buttermilk, baking soda, and onions, but recipes can vary with additions like garlic or peppers. Hush puppies are a traditional Southern United States dish with roots linked to Native American corn cooking and Southern cuisine. They are named "hush puppies" possibly because the fried cornbread balls were used to quiet dogs, although the exact origin of the name is uncertain.