Ep 9. Emilia-Romagna

In Bizarre Foods: Delicious Destinations season 8 episode 9, host Andrew Zimmern takes viewers on a culinary tour of Emilia-Romagna, a region in northern Italy known for its rich and diverse food culture. Zimmern explores the local cuisine, which is heavily influenced by the region's geography and history.

The episode begins with Zimmern in the city of Parma, famous for its prosciutto di Parma. He visits a local prosciuttificio to learn about the process of making this delicious cured ham. From there, he heads to a cheese shop to try some of the region's other famous export, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

Next, Zimmern travels to Modena, where he experiences the region's most famous dish, balsamic vinegar. He visits a traditional acetaia, or balsamic vinegar producer, to learn about the aging process and tries some of the precious liquid.

Zimmern also visits a local market in Modena, where he samples some of the region's street food, including piadina, a thin flatbread filled with meats, cheeses, and veggies.

The episode also explores the lesser-known but equally delicious foods of Emilia-Romagna. Zimmern tastes dishes like ragù alla bolognese, a meat-based pasta sauce that originated in Bologna, and tortellini, a stuffed pasta dish that also hails from the same city.

In the town of Ferrara, Zimmern tries salama da sugo, a sausage made with pig's head, tongue, and other offal. He also visits a local bakery to sample the town's sweet specialty, the pampepato, a fruitcake-like dessert made with chocolate, nuts, and spices.

Throughout the episode, Zimmern highlights the importance of Emilia-Romagna's food culture and how it reflects the region's history and identity. He meets with local chefs, producers, and food artisans to gain a deeper understanding of the ingredients and traditions that make Emilia-Romagna's cuisine so unique and delicious.

Overall, Bizarre Foods: Delicious Destinations season 8 episode 9 provides a mouthwatering tour of one of Italy's most gastronomically rich regions. Viewers will be left hungry for more of Emilia-Romagna's delicious dishes and vibrant food culture.