Grits

Grits are a porridge made by boiling hominy, which is coarsely ground hulled corn (maize). It is similar in texture to Italian polenta (which is made from ground whole-kernel corn). It is also similar to farina, which is marketed in the US as "cream of wheat".

It is a characteristic food of the southern United States, eaten either as a breakfast cereal or a side dish at a noon or evening meal.

Grits can be eaten in a variety of ways:

With butter
With butter, salt and pepper
With gravy
With butter, milk, and brown sugar (more typical of the Midwest US than the South)
With cheese cooked in

In Canada, Grits is a slang term for members of the Liberal Party of Canada or the provincial Liberal parties. It refers back to the foundation of the party, which was described as being for "men of clear grit."