Grits: singular or plural?

[Rudolph C Troike]

Here's a question for the true Southerners on our list, sent to me by a
former Alabaman:

         This one's a purely non-official question.  At dinner tonight Pat
and I were discussing whether the word "grits" is singular or plural (guess
what I was having with my omelette).  One says, "Grits are tasty," but does
one use "number" or "amount" when referring to grits?  Hmm.  Or does it matter?

        Rudy