Ep 13. Spoiled Rotten

In season 15 episode 13 of Bizarre Foods, titled "Spoiled Rotten," host Andrew Zimmern travels across the world to explore the unique and unusual culinary traditions and delicacies of various cultures. This time, Zimmern takes on the challenge of discovering the tastes of some of the most unusual and hard-to-find dishes that are renowned for being spoiled in some way or the other.

The journey takes Zimmern to some of the most remote and exotic locations around the world, where he meets the locals and experiences their traditions and lifestyles. Throughout the episode, he explores some of the most bizarre and unconventional dishes prepared in ways that are unconventional to a Western palate.

The first stop on Zimmern's journey is Iceland, where he tries one of the country's most controversial dishes, Hákarl. Made from the meat of a Greenland shark that has been buried, fermented, and then hung for up to six months to acquire its distinct taste and smell, the dish is considered a delicacy in the region. Zimmern travels to a small fishing village to try the dish and discovers why it's called the world's smelliest food.

After Iceland, Zimmern takes a trip to Sri Lanka, where he samples their specialty dish called Lunu Miris. A fermented blend of chili peppers, onions, and Maldive fish, this fiery relish is a staple in Sri Lankan cuisine but can be quite challenging for those unfamiliar with it. Zimmern visits a restaurant in the heart of the island to try this pungent relish in a variety of dishes and discovers the importance of this dish in Sri Lankan culture.

Next on his list is Malawi, where he meets the locals and partakes in a feast of Mbatata. This dish is made from sweet potato that is buried and left to rot. Once cooked, it has a mushy texture and a sour aroma. While exploring the region, Zimmern learns about the economic importance of this dish and its significance to the local community.

Zimmern's next stop is a remote village in Turkey, where he tries their version of Roquefort cheese called Tulum. This cheese is made from sheep's milk that is left to ferment inside animal hides. The pungent aroma and sharp taste of the cheese are a reflection of the region's ancient cheese-making tradition, which was developed to preserve dairy products in the harsh climates of the region.

Finally, Zimmern travels to China where he tries their specialty dish, Century Eggs. These eggs are made by preserving duck, chicken, and quail eggs in a mixture of ash, salt, lime, and clay. They are left to ferment and age for several weeks to several months, resulting in a brown, jelly-like yolk and a black, translucent egg-white. Zimmern visits a local restaurant to try the dish and discovers how it has become a staple in Chinese cuisine.

Throughout the episode, Zimmern showcases that while these dishes may seem unappetizing to Western cultures, they are essential to the communities that produce them, as they offer a taste of local traditions and lifestyles. By experiencing these dishes firsthand, Zimmern provides viewers with a unique insight into the culinary traditions of other cultures, ultimately showing that food is a part of the larger cultural tapestry that makes up the world we live in.

Overall, season 15 episode 13 of Bizarre Foods titled "Spoiled Rotten" is a fascinating adventure into the world of unique and unconventional food items that may seem unappetizing to some, but are essential to the cultures that produce them.