Recipe: Old South Bar-B-Q Ranch Hushpuppies (using tomatoes and catsup)

OLD SOUTH HUSHPUPPIES

"Food lore says that while making corn bread, fishermen/hoboes, etc., threw bits of cornbread that they had fried in hot fat to their whining, hungry dogs to quiet them. Thus the term "hush, puppies"! Hush puppies are basically a cornmeal based bread, usually with a bit of onion added for flavor, which are shaped into small ovals and deep fried. They are always served with fish dishes in the south. The *best* I ever had were served with local honey (and therefore not as oniony) at the Old South Bar-B-Q Ranch in Clewiston, FL (US 27). I haven't been back there for over 20 years, but I still have the recipe card that I picked up as a teenager!"

1 cup canned tomatoes, drained
1/2 lb onions, ground or finely chopped
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup catsup
1 small egg, beaten
2 cups flour
1 1/4 cups yellow or white corn meal
3 tsp (1 tbsp.) baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
Oil (for deep frying)
Honey (for serving)

Mix together tomatoes (broken into small pieces), onions, buttermilk, catsup and egg; set aside.

Mix together flour, corn meal, baking powder, salt, and pepper, then mix with the liquid mixture. Batter may be kept in refrigerator until used (several days).

WHEN READY TO FRY:
Drop tablespoonfuls of the batter into deep fat and fry until golden brown. Serve "hot with Florida honey".

I think the tomatoes and catsup are the unusual additions. I have never seen or tasted a similar recipe!

Source: STU_LJMCCLOU to Foodlore/Recipe Exchange