corn or other grain, soybeans, etc. ground more coarsely than for flour or meal; esp., in the South, hominy ground coarsely: grits are eaten as porridge, as a side dish, and in casseroles
See grits in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(grĭts)
plural noun(used with a sing. or pl. verb)
A ground, usually white meal of dried and hulled corn kernels that is boiled and served as a breakfast food or side dish.