Hush puppies are made from cornmeal and is more nutritious than wheat flour or corn flour. Whole-grain cornmeal is a rich source of thiamin, magnesium, potassium, and selenium. It is also a good source of vitamin B6 and folate.

Potassium helps smooth blood flow through the arteries, regulating muscle constriction in the heart. Thus, it regulates your heart rate and blood pressure.

Studies show that dietary fiber and selenium in cornmeal help reduce cholesterol. It happens because fiber binds the cholesterol and carries it out of the body, and selenium acts as an antioxidant.

Do you know the story of how hush puppies got the name? Many years ago, in the deep south when cooking was done outside (to avoid potential fire to the home), cooks would scoop up the broken pieces of cornmeal breading from the catfish floating in the cooking oil and toss them in the yard to feed the dogs…or to “hush” the puppies. Turns out people (including me) love them as much as the puppies!

If you are one of those people who love hush puppies, come to Oliver’s this Wednesday, where it will be served up appropriately with their delicious fried catfish!