Ep 2. Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail

In this episode of Bizarre Foods, host Andrew Zimmern travels along the Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail in Virginia and Kentucky. The trail was first blazed by Daniel Boone in the late 1700s and was instrumental in opening up the west for settlers. Zimmern sets out to discover the unique foods and traditions of the people who live along the trail today.

Zimmern starts his journey in Abingdon, Virginia, where he visits The Tavern, a historic inn that has been serving travelers since 1779. Here, he tries a traditional Appalachian meal of cornbread and pinto beans with ham hocks. He also samples a specialty dish called spoonbread, a cross between cornbread and souffle.

Moving on to Bristol, Virginia, Zimmern meets a group of friends who are keeping the tradition of moonshining alive. They show him their homemade still and explain the process of making moonshine. Zimmern also tries the moonshine, which has a potent and distinct flavor.

Next, Zimmern heads to Middlesboro, Kentucky, where he finds a unique mixture of cultures. This small town is home to descendants of English, Irish, and Scottish settlers as well as Cherokee and Melungeon communities. Zimmern visits a local bakery where he tries a Melungeon pie, a savory pie made with beef, pork, and spices.

In Cumberland Gap, Kentucky, Zimmern meets a couple who have turned their home into a restaurant. They specialize in serving traditional Appalachian dishes with a modern twist. Zimmern tries a dish called pork and beans, which is made with tender pork meat and a tangy bean sauce.

Further down the trail, Zimmern stops in Danville, Kentucky, where he meets a group of women who are keeping the tradition of sorghum syrup making alive. They show Zimmern how they plant and harvest the sorghum and then boil it down into a thick, sweet syrup. Zimmern also tries the syrup on homemade biscuits.

Finally, Zimmern arrives in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, where he visits the Shaker Village. The Shakers were a religious group who lived communally and believed in simplicity. Zimmern tries a meal that would have been common for the Shakers, consisting of pork chops, green beans, and corn pudding.

Throughout his journey, Zimmern meets a variety of people who are passionate about preserving the traditions and foods of the Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail. He discovers that the trail, which was once a lifeline for settlers, continues to be an important part of the region's culture and history.