Hush puppies are a southern food staple, typically made with cornmeal, flour, salt, and baking powder, and deep fried. They get their name from the practice of putting them in the fryer to hush the puppies - or quiet the barking dogs.
While there are many variations of hush puppies, the original version is thought to have been created by slaves. Slaves would often fry up small balls of cornmeal batter to pacify barking dogs - hence the name.
Over time, hush puppies evolved into the delicious treat we know and love today. While the ingredients and cooking method may have changed slightly, the origin of hush puppies remains the same. So the next time you're enjoying a plate of hush puppies, take a moment to think about the history behind them.