Italian Grits What part of Italy is your family from? I grew up in a predominantly Italian area where most were from the south or either Sicily. I was made an honorary Italian around 4th or 5th grade. However, there were some Italians from the north- we called them Germans. Polenta wasn't as popular a menu item as pasta or pizza, but was available. The Italian food was great! The Greek, Polish, Jewish, German, Hungarian, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, etc. wasn't too bad, either. Talk about a melting pot- and it tasted good. I really enjoyed those Italian Church festivals. The sausage and pepper sandwiches, grinders, hoagies, submarines, heroes, etc. Close to heaven as I'll get.

The only appreciable difference that I noticed between polenta and grits is that polenta is ground finer and costs more. Grits with chili is also mighty fine.