Bizarre Foods America Season 8 Episode 7 The Blues Trail

Bizarre Foods America season 8 episode 7 titled The Blues Trail takes the viewers on a culinary and cultural journey through the Mississippi Delta, the birthplace of the blues music. Host Andrew Zimmern explores the diverse and unique food culture of the Mississippi Delta, where the cuisines of African Americans, Native Americans, and European settlers blend together to create some of the most delicious and soulful dishes in America.

The episode begins with a visit to a roadside food stand where Zimmern tries his hand at frying catfish, a staple food of the Delta region. The dish is prepared with a secret spice mix and served with homemade tartar sauce, making it a delight for the taste buds.

Next, Zimmern takes a walk through the cotton fields of Mississippi, where African American slaves were forced to work in the past. He learns about the history of slavery in America and how it shaped the culinary traditions of the survivors. He also visits a local restaurant that serves up some of the best soul food in the region, where he samples dishes like fried chicken, collard greens, and black-eyed peas.

As he continues along the Blues Trail, Zimmern stops at a sugarcane plantation where he meets a family that continues to harvest cane the old-fashioned way. He learns about the long history of sugarcane production in the Mississippi Delta and how the crop was at the center of the slave trade.

Zimmern's next stop is a BBQ joint that uses an ancient technique of cooking meat in pits made of cinder blocks. The pork spareribs, beef brisket, and chicken are seasoned with a special rub and smoked for hours to create a deep, rich flavor that is hard to beat.

The episode concludes with a visit to a local juke joint, where Zimmern learns about the history of the blues and how it was born out of the struggles of African Americans in the Delta. He samples local beers, snacks on fried alligator, and dances to the soulful sounds of the blues.

In summary, Bizarre Foods America season 8 episode 7 takes viewers on a culinary journey through the Mississippi Delta, exploring the diverse food culture and vibrant music scene that make this region so unique. From soul food to BBQ and everything in between, this episode is a celebration of the rich history and culture of the Mississippi Delta.