Where is polenta in the grocery store? Most people aren’t completely new to the world of shopping. They generally know what they’re looking for and are quick to walk to the aisle where it is kept. However, sometimes, we have some odd items that we need to purchase but aren’t sure in which aisle they’re available.
When it’s this time when the market can appear like a terrifying array of shelves, cans and piles. One of these items is polenta. And today I’m going to tell you exactly where you can find it.
I’ve consulted many people, visited a few of the most well-known supermarkets, spoken to attendants, and finally, I’ve managed to create a list of the top locations where polenta could be found in supermarkets. I’m sure that if you go through the aisles listed here there’s a good chance you’ll come across polenta. But before that we should talk about what polenta actually is and where it originated.
What is Polenta?
A lot of well-known Italian dishes we enjoy and cannot live without even today began as simple family meals and polenta is no exception. In its most simple and simple form, polenta is a porridge made of cornmeal.
Originating originally from Northern Italy, polenta is considered to be a staple food and is a versatile dish. It can be enjoyed as breakfast food, porridge or a side dish, or cooked and served with marinara sauce, or baked, and then topped with the cheese you like best (that’s similar to eating pasta but not actually having pasta). It can be made as spicy, buttery salty, or cheesy as you prefer.
With polenta anything can be achieved. It is interesting that it was once thought of as a meal only for peasants because it was affordable and simple to prepare. Nowadays the food has made it to the level of gourmet which means that the rich as well as the poor can both take pleasure in this Italian food.
Polenta is typically made from the finely processed yellow corn. It’s very similar in taste with Southern American grits, but it’s not like grits. Both grits and polenta are made from ground corn. However, the difference lies in the kind of corn used for their preparation. The Italians made polenta from yellow flint corn , while Grits are made from the white corn that is used for dent. Thus, while polenta has a yellow color, grits is white.
Another distinction in texture is that of the corn used. The shape of the corn in Flint is better than dent corn, therefore, grits tend to be mushier than polenta. However, it has a coarser, flakier grind that is more chewy than gritty grits.
The best thing about polenta is the fact that it is made from cornmeal, and it’s healthy for vegans and vegetarians alike. Polenta is available in various varieties according to the method the dish is made. It includes coarse ground polenta; finely ground instant polenta, white polenta, and prepared or tube polenta.
Finely ground and coarsely ground polenta are made from flint corn but finely ground is made more precisely in comparison to coarse. White polenta is prepared using white ground corn, whereas instant polenta and precooked are manufactured in factories. The kind of polenta that is most frequently found is precooked. It comes in a tube wrap.
Polenta can be prepared at home with ease, however, in case you’re not keen, and you can purchase the polenta. This leads our attention the next point and let us dive into it.
Where can you find polenta at the supermarket?
Generally speaking, the location of polenta in shops varies from store to store, however finding the polenta isn’t a hard task. It is usually found in the refrigerated food section (maybe close to Tofu) or in the vicinity of pasta in the section of dried foods. Instant, dry, boxed pasta can be found in the vicinity of rice boxes and in the ethnic food section.
Polenta is also available in the natural aisle or food section. Since it’s a vegan-friendly food, it’s usually available in the vegetarian or vegan section in the majority of stores. It’s also in the bakers or cereal aisle. If you’re interested in making your own polenta at home, coarse ground corn meal can be located within the section for flour.
Top supermarkets such as Walmart, Kroger and Safeway offer a variety of polenta brands within their aisles.
Kroger: Kroger stocks DeLallo instant polenta, which is available in the dry items and the aisle for pasta. They also carry Dell’alpe instant polenta Colavita instant polenta Valsugana’s polenta and Aurora pure polenta.
Safeway: Safeway stocks Bellino instant polenta, as well as San Gennaro polenta.
Walmart: Walmart stocks include Traditional organic polenta, Bob’s Red Mill Organic polenta, Food Merchants, Organic Basil, and Garlic Polenta.
We now know where to buy the polenta, so let’s discuss the best way to prepare it yourself. It’s likely that you don’t understand the reasons why it should be purchased from a grocery store but it’s so simple to make, you must play around with it.
How to make Polenta at home
Make sure to bring 4 1/2 cups of water up to a roaring boiling. Add salt as desired. Pour the polenta mixture into the hot water, and then slowly whisk it into the mix as it gets thicker. Then, take it out. If you’d like to eat porridge, do it. In other cases, you can cut down the amount of water to allow it to be extremely thick, then place it in the pan to cool. It will solidify and then you can slice it into other ways.
Polenta is served on its own or with butter, herb and cheese, sautéed onions, peppers, or any topping you like for a dish to serve as a side dish. Polenta can be used as a base for vegetarian dishes and is served by sauce, or even a rich vegetable ragout.
Polenta is a great substitute for rice or pasta in a recipe , and also accompany chilies and stews. Warm polenta that is soft cooked and garnished with slices of fruits and nuts is an excellent breakfast choice.
Tubed polenta is prepared and is a soft smooth texture, so you can simply slice it and fry it, or bake it. If you’re looking to be more imaginative, you could grill the polenta or make canapés with it. Bake some slices, then add your favorite toppings. It’s perfect for a snack or appetizer.
It is excellent for layering as well.
It’s fantastic in a casserole, or it can substitute noodles in lasagna that is pasta-free. Another option to make use of the polenta tubes is to create Croutons. It’s an excellent method to bulk the salad and give a bulk to a dinner. Simply cut up your polenta , then sauté with a bit of seasoning in a pan and serve with your meal.
Polenta may also be cut into wedges, and then made into fries. Cut them into pieces and then toss them in spices and breadcrumbs, and cook in an oven for approximately 40 minutes before flipping them at the midpoint. Serve with ketchup, or your favorite sauce to dip them in.
It’s extremely adaptable, and it’s also very healthy. Polenta has protein and carbohydrates. Making it using the milk in place of water provides important nutrients. Polenta also has gluten-free fiber and contains vitamin A. It is a good source of carotenoids and is low in fat, and is perfect for a healthy heart. Polenta is also rich in vital minerals like iron, magnesium, zinc, and has a low calorie content.
Wrapping up
Where Is Polenta In The Grocery Store?
If you’re ever in the grocery store, certainly check out the aisle for polenta and purchase the perfect packet. We began by trying to locate polenta in the grocery store but we’ve discovered the many creative, imaginative, and tasty ways to use it. So, the next time you’re asked “where is polenta in the grocery store?” make sure you mention it and emphasize its numerous benefits to people who are looking for it.
Grocery Store? 
