Corn Dishes Trivia Quiz

Grits are a creamy porridge-like dish made from ground corn, similar to polenta. Grits are popular in the American South where they are often flavored with cheese, bacon and other foods with a high-fat content. Grits can be served as a meal or side dish and eaten any time of day.

Tamales are a Mexican dough made from corn that has been nixtamalized (cooked in acidic water) and then steamed in a corn husk. The tamales are then filled with a variety of mixtures including meat and fruits. They are common across Latin America with each region having its own variation.

There is much debate over the word tamales. The singular form is tamal and the plural form is tamales. However in English speaking regions, people often use tamale as a singular noun. Because the word is Spanish in origin, tamal is the proper singular form.

Xarem is a popular Portuguese soup made from a base of corn flour. In Portugal, the soup is most commonly served with clams and seafood while in Brazil, it is more popularly served with grilled meats.

Githeri is a common meal in Kenya. It was once the staple dish of the many Bantu people who lived in Kenya. However beginning in the 20th century, githeri became popular with college students because of its inexpensive cost and ease in preparing. It is a dish made from corn, beans and sometimes potatoes or other ingredients. It is also a very popular health food in Kenya.

Mandoca is a Venezuelan breakfast food made from deep-fried cornmeal, cheese and spices. In other places, mandoca is made from mashed plantains. It can be seen as the equivalent to the American donut as both are popular snack foods eaten at breakfast and dunked in coffee.

Kuymak is a Turkish dish made from cornmeal and cheese. This is believed to have its origin in ancient Greece. It is typically eaten with a spoon and is very stretchy.

Hushpuppies are balls of deep-fried cornmeal served as a side dish in typical American Southern cooking, most commonly alongside seafood. Hushpuppies are said to be called such because they were given to hunting dogs to keep them quiet, although this origin seems dubious.

It is more likely they are called hushpuppies because of a corruption in the local Native word for the dish since the hushpuppies were first created by the Cherokee.

Pupusa is a Central American flatbread made from cornmeal and stuffed with a variety of foods akin to tacos. It is the national food of El Salvador but is popular throughout Central America as a common street food.

Wotou is a Chinese steamed bread made from cornmeal. It is commonly called Chinese cornbread. Historically, it was consider a poor man's food until it was discovered by members of the Chinese Imperial Court who popularized the meal. Wotou is served in a cone-like shape because it is said to resemble a bird's nest.

Polenta is a popular Italian dish made from cornmeal. It is similar to the American grits. It can be eaten soft and plain or solidified into cakes or loafs and sliced. Plain polenta is often considered a side dish while jazzed up polenta that contains cheese, meats, spices and vegetables may be served as a main course.