polenta
noun
po·len·ta pō-ˈlen-tə 
pə-,
-ˌtä
: mush made of chestnut meal, cornmeal, semolina, or farina
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Spoon the mixture over bowls of warm polenta, and serve immediately. 
The Editors, Outside Online, 23 June 2022 With most forms of field maize—the kind of corn that is grown for polenta and corn flour—the kernels gradually transform from sugar to starch. Bee Wilson, WSJ, 6 Aug. 2022 Among the standout choices are a savory lobster with green asparagus in a raspberry vinaigrette and a rosemary chicken paired with stuffed zucchini or truffled polenta. Dana Givens, Robb Report, 19 July 2022 On my most recent visit, for example, one of the ingredients selected was mais biancoperla — a type of white corn used to make polenta — from the northeastern region of Veneto. Samantha Lauriello, Travel + Leisure, 14 June 2022 Here’s a lovely gluten-free dessert that employs fine cornmeal or polenta to bulk up the batter, along with ground pistachios. Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 4 June 2022 This year, as his guests ate chicken and polenta, Soros could only pick out Western aid to Ukraine and the resistance of Ukrainians as silver linings. Samanth Subramanian, Quartz, 24 May 2022 Popular starters include the Cuscuz Paulista with corn polenta, quail eggs and Santa Barbara sea urchin; Casquinha de siri with crab meat; and the Steak tartare Angus with black tucupi mayo and cured yolks. Chelsea Davis, Forbes, 15 Apr. 2022 For the mains, there’s Scarborough Woof – a local fish – with peas and pak choi or a Cutlet of Venison, served with polenta and foraged funghi. Angelina Villa-clarke, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2022 See More
The Editors, Outside Online, 23 June 2022 With most forms of field maize—the kind of corn that is grown for polenta and corn flour—the kernels gradually transform from sugar to starch. Bee Wilson, WSJ, 6 Aug. 2022 Among the standout choices are a savory lobster with green asparagus in a raspberry vinaigrette and a rosemary chicken paired with stuffed zucchini or truffled polenta. Dana Givens, Robb Report, 19 July 2022 On my most recent visit, for example, one of the ingredients selected was mais biancoperla — a type of white corn used to make polenta — from the northeastern region of Veneto. Samantha Lauriello, Travel + Leisure, 14 June 2022 Here’s a lovely gluten-free dessert that employs fine cornmeal or polenta to bulk up the batter, along with ground pistachios. Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 4 June 2022 This year, as his guests ate chicken and polenta, Soros could only pick out Western aid to Ukraine and the resistance of Ukrainians as silver linings. Samanth Subramanian, Quartz, 24 May 2022 Popular starters include the Cuscuz Paulista with corn polenta, quail eggs and Santa Barbara sea urchin; Casquinha de siri with crab meat; and the Steak tartare Angus with black tucupi mayo and cured yolks. Chelsea Davis, Forbes, 15 Apr. 2022 For the mains, there’s Scarborough Woof – a local fish – with peas and pak choi or a Cutlet of Venison, served with polenta and foraged funghi. Angelina Villa-clarke, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Italian, from Latin, crushed and hulled barley; akin to Latin pollen fine flour
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Biographical Definition
Polenta
biographical name
Po·len·ta pō-ˈlen-tə
Francesca da died 1283(or 1284) Francesca da Rimini ˌfran-ˈche-skə-dä-ˈri-mə-(ˌ)nē
ˌfrän-,
-ˈrē-
Italian noblewoman famous for tragic adulterous love affair