Ep 4. Upper Peninsula, Michigan

In season 6, episode 4 of Bizarre Foods: Delicious Destinations, host Andrew Zimmern travels to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to explore the unique food culture of this remote region.

Known for its vast forests, rugged coastline, and harsh winters, the Upper Peninsula is a land of contrasts and contradictions. Despite its rugged terrain and challenging climate, the U.P. is home to a thriving culinary scene that celebrates the region's natural bounty and diverse cultural heritage.

Andrew begins his culinary adventure in the town of Marquette, where he samples locally sourced whitefish and lake trout at a traditional fish fry. He also learns about the region's rich history of mining and logging, and how these industries have influenced the area's cuisine.

Moving on to the town of Munising, Andrew visits a local bakery that specializes in pasties, a traditional meat-filled pastry that originated in the U.K. but has become a staple of Upper Peninsula cuisine. He also attends a gathering of the Ojibwa tribe, whose traditional foods include wild rice and maple syrup.

Next, Andrew ventures into the wilds of the Upper Peninsula, where he visits a family-run farm that produces maple syrup from trees on their property. He also tries his hand at ice fishing on one of the region's frozen lakes, pulling in a fresh catch of yellow perch that he cooks up over an open fire.

Continuing his journey, Andrew visits the town of Escanaba, where he explores the local beer scene and samples innovative brews made with local ingredients like wild mushrooms and juniper berries. He also visits a historic meat market where he tries a variety of cured meats, including smoked sausages and beef jerky.

Finally, Andrew ends his trip in the town of St. Ignace, where he attends a Native American powwow and samples traditional foods like fry bread and wild rice soup. He also visits a local restaurant that specializes in "yooper" cuisine, a unique blend of Finnish, Italian, and Native American flavors that reflects the melting pot of cultures that make up the Upper Peninsula.

Throughout his journey, Andrew discovers the unique culinary traditions and flavors of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and gains a newfound respect for the resourcefulness and ingenuity of the people who call this remote region home.