National Grits for Breakfast Day

Grits, a type of porridge made with corn, are celebrated today with National Grits for Breakfast Day. Grits are of Native American origin, coming from rockahomine, a type of mashed corn eaten by the Muscogee tribe. Colonists learned how to make it from them, and grits became a staple of the American South, where they remain a staple breakfast food today. While they are now available nationwide, three-quarters are still bought in the South, an area sometimes called the "grits belt."

The name "grits" comes from the Old English word grytt, which means "coarse meal." Grits are often made with dent corn, a variety of corn that is softer and starchier than others. Stone-ground grits are made by grinding whole dried kernels between stones of a gristmill. Quick grits are made by removing the germ and hull and then finely grinding them so they can cook quickly. Grits are sometimes also made with hominy, which is alkali-treated corn that has had the hull and germ removed, with the endosperm remaining. Grits are similar to polenta, considered to be Italian grits, and to cream of wheat, made with kernels of wheat.

Grits are often served with breakfast, making today's holiday a fitting one for the food. Grits can also be a side dish or serve as a base for a meal at any time of the day. Their consistency varies: while they are generally thick and creamy, they also may be runny. There are a number of ways to prepare them. They are boiled, usually with water, but can be boiled in milk or broth. Stone-ground grits take longer to cook than quick grits. Butter and milk are often added after cooking, and a dash of salt is also common. Grits are often dressed up with cheese, spices, sugar, syrup, sauces, fruit, vegetables, and meat or seafood such as shrimp, bacon, and catfish. If butter, cheese, and other relatively unhealthy ingredients are used sparingly, grits can be healthy. They are high in iron and B vitamins, and are especially healthy if they are stone-ground grits, since every part of the corn is used, making them high in fiber.

How to Observe National Grits for Breakfast Day

Have grits for breakfast! Enjoy them at a restaurant or make them at home. You could try some of the following recipes:

• breakfast grits
• grits and grunts
• fried grits
• cheese grits
• shrimp and grits

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