Cornbread is a type of bread made from cornmeal, which is ground dried corn. The name comes from the fact that it was traditionally baked in a skillet or pan shaped like a cornbaker's iron kettle. It has been an important part of Southern cuisine for centuries and is often served as a side dish with meals such as barbecue, fried chicken, or beans. Cornbread can also be eaten on its own or used in recipes like corn bread muffins or cornbread stuffing.