Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern Season 7 Episode 6 West Virginia

In season 7 episode 6 of Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, the host travels to the heart of the Appalachian Mountains to explore the culinary traditions of West Virginia. From the city of Charleston to the rural communities in the foothills, Zimmern discovers a variety of unique and unexpected dishes that reflect the state's cultural history and natural resources.

The episode opens in Charleston, where Zimmern meets up with chef Mike "Whiskey" Williams, who takes him on a tour of the local farmers market. Here, Zimmern samples freshly baked breads, varieties of goat cheese, and other artisanal products from the surrounding countryside. Williams explains how West Virginia cuisine has been influenced by the state's rugged landscape, which makes it difficult to cultivate crops and sustain livestock. As a result, foraging and preserving techniques have become integral to the foodways of the region.

Next, Zimmern heads to a restaurant called Bluegrass Kitchen, where he tries pepperoni rolls, a West Virginia specialty that has its roots in the coal mining camps of the early 20th century. Made with dough and spicy pepperoni, the rolls are a portable and filling meal for miners to take underground. Today, they are a ubiquitous snack food throughout the state, often served as a breakfast item. Zimmern also tries a dish called ramp pesto, which incorporates the wild onion-like plant that grows in abundance throughout the Appalachian Mountains. The pesto is served atop pasta and topped with pickled ramps, giving it a pungent and tangy flavor.

In the second part of the episode, Zimmern travels to the small town of Alderson, where he visits a family-run farm that specializes in heritage breeds of livestock. Here, he samples pork from a rare breed of pigs called Berkshire, which are known for their marbling and rich flavor. The farmer explains how she raises the pigs on a diet of acorns and other forages, which gives the meat a distinctive taste. Zimmern also tries a dish called apple stack cake, which is made with layers of thin cake and apple filling. The recipe has been passed down through generations in the region, and is often served at holiday gatherings and other special occasions.

Finally, Zimmern heads to the mountains themselves to forage for ramps with a group of locals. He learns about the sustainable harvesting practices that are used to preserve the delicate ecosystem of the forests, and tries a variety of dishes that showcase the pungent, garlicky flavor of the plant. Among the dishes he samples are ramp fritters, which are made with a batter that incorporates ramps and cornmeal, and ramp kimchi, a Korean-inspired dish that features the pickled plant.

Overall, Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern season 7 episode 6 offers a fascinating glimpse into the culture and cuisine of West Virginia. From pepperoni rolls to ramp pesto to heritage pork, viewers are treated to a variety of dishes that reflect the region's rugged landscape and innovative spirit. Whether you're a foodie or a traveler, this episode is sure to inspire you to seek out new culinary adventures throughout the Appalachian Mountains and beyond.