Polenta is nothing more than the Italian equivalent of Southern corn meal mush. In Italy, polenta is served as a side dish with meaty stews and sausages. In the South, corn meal mush is traditionally served for breakfast. Whether you call it polenta or mush, the best way to prepare it is to chill it, slice it, and fry it in a skillet. Serve the crisp slices Italian-style as a supper side dish or Southern-style with a hearty country breakfast.