Catfish is a popular dish down south, and for good reason. Most of the farm-raised catfish in the united states comes from arkansas, alabama, louisiana, and mississippi. And although it can be prepared in a variety of ways, including grilled, frying in a cornmeal coating is the most traditional. You will find fried catfish at the local fish fry, at that hidden fish shack, and even in a few skillets riverside after reeling one in. A classic accompaniment for southern-fried catfish is hush puppies, small onion-flavored cornmeal dumplings that are a staple side dish in the south. If you are serving them with your catfish, cook them simultaneously. For a traditional fish fry, serve catfish with the hushpuppies, tartar sauce, and coleslaw. Fried pickles are also often an accompaniment.
