Bizarre Foods America Season 7 Episode 7 Charleston

In Bizarre Foods America season 7 episode 7, host Andrew Zimmern visits the charming city of Charleston, South Carolina. Known for its rich history and culinary traditions, Andrew sets out to explore the unique foods and flavors that make Charleston a destination for food lovers.

The episode begins with Andrew visiting a local shrimp boat as it returns from the Atlantic Ocean with a haul of fresh seafood. He learns about the importance of sustainable fishing practices and how the local shrimp industry has been affected by recent environmental changes. He also gets a taste of some of the freshest shrimp he's ever had, cooked onboard the boat by the crew.

Next, Andrew visits one of Charleston’s most iconic foods: she-crab soup. He meets with Chef Michelle Weaver, who shows him how to prepare the classic dish using Blue Crab meat, roe, sherry, and cream. Andrew also learns about the history of the dish, which originated in Charleston’s high society in the early 1900s and was traditionally served only to women.

Andrew then heads to the port city of Mount Pleasant to visit a family-owned seafood market, where they sell some unusual creatures, including octopus, alligator, and turtle. Andrew gets a taste of the market's unique offerings, trying fresh octopus salad and alligator jerky.

Andrew also explores the influence of Gullah cuisine, a cuisine with African and European influences that developed in the Lowcountry region around Charleston. He visits Chef Amethyst Ganaway, who specializes in Gullah cuisine, to learn about the unique ingredients and flavors used in these dishes. Andrew tries some of the traditional dishes, including okra soup and Hoppin' John, a rice and bean dish that originated from West Africa.

In addition to seafood and Gullah cuisine, Andrew also samples some local barbecue and learns about the history of South Carolina barbecue. He meets with pitmaster Rodney Scott, who has been perfecting his technique for over 30 years. Scott shows Andrew how he cooks whole hogs over an open fire and explains the unique flavor profiles of South Carolina barbecue.

Finally, Andrew explores the city’s famous sweet treats. He visits the Charleston Cookie Co., which specializes in unique cookie flavors like lemon basil and bacon chocolate chip. Andrew also stops by the iconic River Street Sweets, where he watches pecan pralines being made and gets to sample some of the fresh candies.

Overall, Bizarre Foods America season 7 episode 7 offers a taste of the unique foods and culinary traditions of Charleston, South Carolina. From fresh seafood to Gullah cuisine and classic Southern BBQ, Andrew Zimmern discovers the rich flavors and history of this charming city.