Ep 4. New Mexico

In season 8 episode 4 of Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, titled "New Mexico," Andrew travels to the southwestern United States to explore the unique flavors and culinary traditions of this border state. He starts in Albuquerque, where he samples Tia Betty Blue's famous red chile enchiladas and visits the iconic El Modelo restaurant to taste their tamales smothered in green chile sauce.

Andrew then heads out into the desert to the Pueblo of Isleta, where he learns about the ancient farming and cooking techniques used by the pueblo's indigenous people. He watches as the locals prepare a traditional feast of pueblo oven bread, chile stew, and roasted lamb cooked in an earthen oven.

Next, Andrew visits Santa Fe, where he meets up with Chef Fernando Ruiz to explore the unique fusion of Spanish and Native American cuisines that characterizes the dishes of this region. He tries a savory duck and mushroom quesadilla with green chile sauce and traditional tamales stuffed with chicken and sopapilla.

Then it's off to the roadside town of Hatch, famous for its chile peppers. Andrew stops by the Chile Pepper Institute to learn about the different varieties of chiles grown in the region and tries a fiery-hot jalapeno chocolate bar. He also visits Sparky's BBQ, where he samples their specialty dish, the green chile cheeseburger.

Finally, Andrew travels to the remote and rugged Gila Wilderness, where he meets with a group of modern-day mountain men who are preserving the state's pioneer traditions. He tries their cowboy-style jerky made from wild elk and mule deer and grills up some fresh-caught trout from the nearby river.

Throughout his journey, Andrew discovers the unique history and cultural diversity that defines the cuisine of New Mexico. From ancient traditions passed down through generations to the modern twist of fusion cuisine, he uncovers the bold and spicy flavors that make this region so unique.