Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern Season 6 Episode 13 Taste of the Tropics

In the season 6 episode 13 of Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, called Taste of the Tropics, Andrew travels to the lush tropical region of Costa Rica. There he sets out to explore the country's unique and diverse cuisine, which is a fusion of indigenous traditions, European, and African influences.

The episode begins with Andrew visiting a farm on the outskirts of San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. He meets a farmer who shows him how to harvest and prepare the country's famous coffee beans. After this, Andrew heads to the Central Market of San Jose, which is a huge hub for fresh produce. He tastes a variety of fruits that are unique to the country such as the granadilla, which is a type of passion fruit that is much sweeter and larger than the ones found in other parts of the world.

Andrew then gets down to the business of tasting some of Costa Rica's more unusual dishes. He tries a popular street food called chifrijo, which is made with a base of rice and beans, topped with chicharrón (fried pork), and pico de gallo. Another dish he samples is ceviche made with sea urchin, which is a delicacy in many parts of Latin America. Andrew is delighted by the sweetness of the sea urchin and notes that it tastes like the ocean in every bite.

Next, Andrew travels to the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, where he meets with Garifuna people. This Afro-Caribbean community has maintained their unique culture and language for generations. Andrew is fascinated by the way they prepare their food, which is a blend of African, Caribbean, and Indigenous techniques. He tries their Rundown Curry, which is made with coconut milk, yucca, fish, and various herbs and spices.

Andrew also visits a family that lives in the jungle, who show him how they cook with fresh ingredients found in the area. He samples a dish called tapir, which is a type of wild pig that is native to the region. The tapir meat is stewed with various root vegetables, and Andrew notes that the meat is rich and unique in flavor.

The episode concludes with Andrew attending a traditional Costa Rican barbecue called a parrillada. He watches as a whole pig is roasted over an open flame, taking in the sights and sounds of this festive event. He gets to taste the pork, as well as different types of sausages and other meats that have been cooked over the flame.

Throughout the episode, Andrew demonstrates an open-mindedness and curiosity towards the different foods and cultures he is exploring. He showcases the diversity of Costa Rican cuisine, which is often overshadowed by the more popular dishes from other Latin American countries. Taste of the Tropics is an exciting and informative episode that highlights the endless possibilities that exist in food exploration.