Fried cornmeal balls at every Black fish fry. The side that's been on the catfish plate since before your grandparents were born.
No Black fish fry is complete without hush puppies. They arrive with the catfish and the hot sauce — no one orders them separately, they just appear. The dish belongs to the communal plate, not the individual order.
Hush puppies are deep-fried refined cornmeal — minimal nutritional benefit beyond calories. The cultural value is real; the frequency should be low. Baked versions preserve the flavor with significantly less inflammatory fat.
Traditional batter: cornmeal, flour, egg, buttermilk, onion, salt, and a pinch of cayenne. Drop by spoonful into 375°F oil. Cook 2-3 minutes until golden. Drain on a rack. Serve immediately.
Free, no account needed to ask.