What is the difference between cornmeal and polenta?

Answer by  katie72 (19)

Cornmeal is a grain of fine texture and very small size, about the size of grains of sand. It has a dry, gritty feel and is used in baking. Polenta is a thick, often soupy side dish that can be made out of cornmeal. Cornmeal is an ingredient in polenta. Polenta is the finished dish.

Answer by  Pat (37)

Besides the obvious difference in the name of the food, polenta is a finished dish that is made from cornmeal. It is the same as asking what is the difference between an egg and an omelet. The real question to be asked is what is the difference between polenta and grits.

Answer by  somerset (801)

Cornmeal is coarsely ground dry corn. You add it to salted boiling water to make polenta. Polenta can be used in place of mashed potatoes, pasta or rice. Basically cornmeal is the main ingredient in polenta, a healthy and filling dish.

Answer by  Ginny (2251)

Cornmeal is dried corn which is ground into a fine, medium or flour. Polenta is the boiled cornmeal, which is a traditional food staple in the North of Italy but is also popular in many other countries including Turkey, Eastern Europe, and South America. It is considered a peasant-type food.

Answer by  vietnamgirls (1177)

Polenta is actually made from cornmeal. The cornmeal is boiled in water or stock until it turns into a thick mush. It can then be eaten hot, cold or fried and accompanied by sauces. It is similar to grits, the only difference is how it is ground. A great substitute for mashed potatos!

Answer by  Ed57 (95)

It is the difference between Rome and Rome (Georgia and Italy, that is). What 's your cosmopolitan index and how much do you want to pay? The Southern US loves grits at 2 dollars a plate; while Naples appreciates polenta at $20 a serving. Is it all mush, or what? How about those collards, yams and polenta, y'all? Magnifico!!