What is Hominy

Wondering what is hominy and how is it different from corn. Go through this article for a brief overview on hominy.

We all know that corn is one of the staple foods in many regions of the world, especially, the United States. One of the interesting facts about corn is that this is a grain that can be consumed as a vegetable in its fresh form. Corn is available in many different forms, like, the corn flakes, corn grits, corn pellets, popcorn, corn meal, corn chips, hominy, etc. This article deals with what is hominy and how is it prepared from corn.

What is Hominy Made of?

Now, you know that hominy is a corn product and is made of nothing other than corn. Corn grains are treated in different manners to produce a wide range of corn products and hominy is one among them. In simple words, hominy can be defined as dried maize (corn) kernels from which the hull and the germ are removed. In other words, dried corn without hull and germ is called hominy. This is done through a process called nixtamalization, which refers to the procedure of treating corn kernels (can be used in certain other grains too) with an alkaline solution, so as to remove the hull and the germ. It is said that this process makes the resultant product more flavorful and filled with aroma and nutritionally superior.

It is believed that hominy has been used by the Native Americans for a very long time. In fact, the history of hominy has been traced back to 1500 – 1200 BC. It is said that the process of nixtamalization originated during that period, in some parts of Mexico and Guatemala. Today, it is very popular throughout the United States, especially, the southern parts. Hominy is often associated with southern cooking, but, is also popular in other regions too. It is also an ingredient in some of the popular Mexican foods. What is hominy in Spanish? This is one of the common queries about this product. In Spanish, hominy is called nixtamal. Some people refer to it as ‘pozole’, as it is used to prepare a soup named pozole.

How is Hominy Made?

Traditional nixtamalization in the US referred to the process of soaking dried corn kernels in lye water (derived from wood ash). The Mexican method of nixtamalization consists of cooking the corn kernels in lime water (calcium hydroxide). Both the methods result in removal of the hulls and killing of the seed germ and the resultant product is hominy (in the US and nixtamal in Mexico). But, both can be slightly different in taste, as the procedure of preparation differs. As compared to nixtamal, hominy is more softer. Hominy is available in whole or ground form and it is usually boiled till cooked.

This cooked hominy can be used as a cereal or can be used to prepare other recipes. Many are found to be confused about what is hominy grits. It is a ground version of hominy. Coarse ground hominy is called ‘samp’ and finely ground version is called hominy grits. You may also go for dried or canned hominy. Another common question about this corn product is, what is hominy in a can? It is nothing other than commercially prepared hominy that has undergone the process of canning. Canned hominy is found to have a stronger scent, but, lacks the flavor of those prepared traditionally. Now that you know more about hominy, let us take a look at what is hominy used for.

What is Hominy Used for?

So, hominy is one of the popular corn products. Hominy grits are widely used as a breakfast cereal, or as an ingredient in baking or as a side dish. In Mexico, nixtamal is ground into a paste called ‘masa’, which is used for making corn tortilla recipes. It is also the main ingredient in the tamale filling. Another classic Mexican soup, called ‘pozole’ is a stew also made with hominy and pork or chicken or other meat. There are many other hominy recipes, like, patties, fried dishes, hominy bread, hog n hominy, hominy chili, ‘menudo’ (a soup made of hominy and tripe), hominy casseroles, etc.

This was a brief overview about what is hominy. In short, hominy is one of the popular corn products used to prepare a whole lot of dishes. You may collect different hominy recipes and try them at home to enjoy this delicious corn product.