Other forms: hominies
Hominy is corn that's been treated with an alkaline solution to remove its hull and germ. This process softens the kernels, giving them a chewy texture.
To make hominy, dried corn kernels are usually soaked and cooked in a mildly caustic solution like limewater (calcium hydroxide in water), which loosens and dissolves the hulls. This process changes the kernels' texture, making it puffier and chewier, and it boosts nutrition by making essential nutrients like niacin more digestible. Hominy is used in many foods: It can be eaten whole, in Mexican dishes like posole, a thick stew. It can also be ground up into grits or masa, from which tortillas and tamales are traditionally made.