Bizarre Foods America Season 8 Episode 8 The Other Florida

In season 8 episode 8 of Bizarre Foods America, host Andrew Zimmern travels to the state of Florida to explore the diverse cuisine of the "other Florida." While most people are familiar with the beaches and tourist attractions of cities like Miami and Orlando, this episode takes viewers off the beaten path to explore some of the unique foods and flavors found throughout the state.

Zimmern starts his journey in Tallahassee, the state capital, where he samples Gullah cuisine at a family-owned restaurant. Gullah cuisine is a fascinating blend of African, Caribbean, and Southern food traditions, and Zimmern gets to try dishes like okra soup and red rice that are both delicious and historically significant.

From Tallahassee, Zimmern heads to the Gulf Coast to explore the fishing culture and local seafood. He visits a family-owned oyster farm and learns about the process of harvesting and shucking oysters. He also tries other local seafood delicacies like blue crabs and crawfish, doing his best to keep up with the locals who are all too eager to show him how to crack open a crab or pop a crawfish tail.

Next, Zimmern heads inland to discover the unique flavors and foods of central Florida. He visits a farm that specializes in exotic fruits like jaboticaba and jackfruit, both of which are used in a variety of dishes. He also tries an unusual dessert made from the fruit of the cacao tree, which is traditionally used to make chocolate.

In the Tampa Bay area, Zimmern gets a taste of authentic Cuban cuisine, which has a strong presence in the area thanks to a large influx of Cuban immigrants in the 1950s. He visits a bakery that specializes in Cuban pastries like guava and cream cheese pastelitos, and he also tries a classic Cuban sandwich, a pressed sandwich made with ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard.

Finally, Zimmern heads to the southernmost part of Florida to explore the unique food culture of the Florida Keys. He visits a local restaurant that serves up some of the freshest seafood in the area, including hogfish and spiny lobster. He also learns about the history of the Cuban presence in the Keys and tries a dish called ropa vieja, which is made from shredded beef that has been slow-cooked with tomatoes, peppers, and onions.

Throughout the episode, Zimmern showcases the amazing diversity of food and culture that can be found throughout the state of Florida. From the eclectic blend of Gullah cuisine in Tallahassee to the traditional Cuban flavors of Tampa Bay to the fresh seafood and island cuisine of the Florida Keys, this episode of Bizarre Foods America is a true culinary adventure. Whether you're a foodie, a traveler, or just someone who loves trying new things, you won't want to miss it.