A question for those from Southern USA.

[Bucko]

I was reading a site and they were talking about eating "grits".

What the heck are grits? :?

In Australia, grit is not a food, but it could be **** stuck in your teeth after modding with a dremel and flicked up into your mouth.

Talking about eating grits just brings the vision of having sand in my mouth...

[tybrenis]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grits

Grits means the same thing over here. The name came from its gritty texture.

However, grits has been the country folk's staple forever here in America. Personally I like mine a little different... fried mush!
http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,185,146182-248193,00.html

[progbuddy]

G.R.I.T.S. = Girls Raised In The South

I know because it's on every other car with a bumper sticker down here in NC.

[Ironcat]

For some reason, they don't count Florida as the south but I am even more south than those in the "deep south".

Grits are the nastiest concoction to ever bless a table anywhere south of the Mason-Dixon line. I love corn. I like canned corn, raw corn, corn on the cob, corn pudding, creamed corn, but I friggin hate grits.

Ever go to an Italian household and have polenta? Same thing.

Basically it is dried corn, ground into a gritty powder, and then boiled with water until they turn into a gritty mushy porridge. Yuck.

Typically topped with cheese, salt, and pepper... or else brown sugar, and cream.

[nil8]

Grits is ground hominy.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hominy
If you've ever had Cream O' Wheat, it's like that, but a different flavor and slightly gritty texture.

Grits are awesome. Instant grits are not.
I like my grits either with a little honey and butter or with hot sauce and a pinch of salt.

It's a cheap, filling, easy to make food. Some people like it, some don't. Very few restaurants serve it anymore. The only one I know of around here for sure is Waffle House.

[Bucko]

Thanks guys. From the sounds of it, I'm not missing out on much.

I'll stick to good old Aussie Tucker.

I had Garlic and Herb Kangaroo steak and salad for dinner. Yum!

[Zephik]

Mmmm, grits.... lol yuck.

[progbuddy]

You didn't miss out on much. Its stuff that tastes like crap and when it cools, you can form it into a ball and bounce it on the ground.

[Bucko]

Speaking of eating 'Roo, I'll be making Nacho's with this tomorrow:

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/4651/cameradump083oo6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


I have pretty much switched from eating beef to eating Kangaroo. Tastes a lot better I reckon.

[nil8]

I wonder what kangaroo tastes like.
I don't get how so many people hate grits.
Then again, I'm fairly adventurous in my food choices.
There's only 1 food I can't stand and that's boiled spinach.

[Bucko]

It's hard to describe the flavour of 'Roo, but it is a stronger flavour than beef.

If you ever do have Kangaroo steak, DON'T over cook it. It goes tough as old boots. However when it is still pink in the middle, it will melt in your mouth.

[Eclecticos]

Ummn. . Grits. . Throw some cheddar cheese in there and some cooked bacon on top.
And you got yourself a Genuine Southern Breakfast Baby!

Salt is Required.
I think I'll go make me some now.

Or you can go Yankee and get some Cream of Wheat and put some sugar in there. :D
No offense.

[DaJe]

I think I'll just stay in Massachusetts.

[Ironcat]

I don't get how so many people hate grits.
Then again, I'm fairly adventurous in my food choices.

Grits is just nasty, it has absolutely NOTHING to do with being adventurous.

I've eaten balout (spelling?)
I've eaten uni
I've eaten natto
Easily a couple of dozen types of raw fish
I've eaten "real" Chinese food of every flavor and texture imaginable...

There is very little on the planet that I will not at least attempt to eat once...

...but Grits is nasty...

[nil8]

I disagree. It's a matter of choice I suppose, but some people are extremely judgmental of food before they try it. I don't like that.

The way I look at food is if some culture has been eating it for hundreds, if not thousands of years, the chance of it killing me is fairly small. I might like it, so I try it.

I'd like to see everyone at least try something before they decide they don't like it. Like grits.

As for raw fish, salmon tops my list. I love it cooked, I love it raw. I love salmon.

Taste is personal. What people like is different. That's fine. Just don't judge something before you give it the old college try first.

[xRyokenx]

I prefer Cream of Wheat with some canned peaches over grits any day... they're just kinda bland... well, that and I'm not much of a breakfast person, so I guess I can't complain, lol. I try food, and if I don't like it, it's not gonna be touched by me again for a while, lol.

Fugu is another thing... the raw puffer fish the Japanese eat, that can be a deadly dish, lol. It's supposed to be really good though...

I was born in New Hampshire, raised (mostly) in Nebraska, and now live in NC, go figure...

[Airbozo]

....
I've eaten balout (spelling?)
....

Not sure if that is the correct spelling, but I don't care how you spell it, it is some NASTY ****...

Makes me want to ralph just thinking about it...

I like grits, but only if they are cooked by a true Cajun chef or a true southerner at least.