Ep 4. What a Pickle

In the fourth episode of Somewhere South season 1, titled "What a Pickle," host and chef Vivian Howard delves into the world of pickles and how they are deeply ingrained in Southern cuisine.

The episode starts with Vivian visiting a pickle festival in North Carolina where she learns about the different types of pickles and the process of pickling vegetables. She also meets a group of women who pickle vegetables in a traditional way and uses their recipe to make her own pickles.

Next, Vivian heads to Charleston, South Carolina to explore the history of an African-American pickle shop called B.A.M. (Books, Art & Music), where owner Tanya Gurrieri has been pickling vegetables using her grandmother's recipes for over a decade. Gurrieri takes Vivian through the process of making her famous pickles and also shares the significance of pickles in African-American cuisine.

In Savannah, Georgia, Vivian meets Cathy Colasanto, who teaches her how to make a unique cucumber kimchi using Southern ingredients. The kimchi is a fusion of Southern and Korean flavors and is a testament to the diversity of Southern cuisine.

The episode also features a visit to a family-owned pickle company in Mount Olive, North Carolina, where Vivian learns about the mass production of pickles and the challenges faced by small pickle-makers in the industry.

Overall, "What a Pickle" explores the multifaceted world of pickles and how they are an integral part of Southern cuisine and culture. Vivian's journey to different places to learn about various pickling techniques and recipes highlights the diversity of Southern cuisine and the cultural influences that have shaped it over time.