Ep 2. Truth and the Turkey Tale

In season 2 episode 2 of Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi titled "Truth and the Turkey Tale," Padma travels to Oklahoma to explore the fascinating history and culinary traditions of the Choctaw Nation. The episode begins with Padma meeting with Choctaw chief Gary Batton to learn about the tribe's history and culture.

Padma then heads to the southeastern region of the state to visit the Choctaw Nation's annual Labor Day festival, where she tastes some of the tribe's most delicious and authentic foods. She also learns about the history and significance of the stomp dance, a traditional Native American dance that dates back hundreds of years.

Next, Padma travels to Durant, Oklahoma to visit the Choctaw Nation's headquarters and learn about the tribe's efforts to revitalize their traditional language and preserve their cultural heritage. She meets with language teacher Donna Holt and takes a lesson in Choctaw, which proves to be a challenging but rewarding experience.

The episode culminates with Padma visiting the family farm of Choctaw Tribal Councilman James Dry, where she learns about the importance of ethical and sustainable farming practices. James shares his family's history of turkey farming and takes Padma on a tour of his turkey farm, where she learns about the various cuts of meat and tries some delicious Choctaw-style turkey recipes.

Throughout the episode, Padma showcases the rich and vibrant culture of the Choctaw Nation, and highlights the importance of preserving and sharing indigenous food traditions. "Truth and the Turkey Tale" is a poignant and enlightening episode that is sure to leave viewers with an appreciation for the history, culture, and culinary traditions of the Choctaw people.