Ep 11. Pirates Get Their Due

In season 4 episode 11 of A Taste of History, titled Pirates Get Their Due, host Walter Staib travels to the port city of Havana, Cuba to uncover the history and cuisine of the infamous pirates who once roamed the Caribbean.

Staib begins his journey at the historic Fort Morro, where he learns about the battles that took place between the Spanish and the pirates who sought to loot the valuable sugar and tobacco crops of Cuba. He then heads to the local market to gather fresh ingredients for his pirate-inspired dishes.

Back in the kitchen, Staib uses his culinary skills to whip up a feast fit for a pirate king. He starts with a hearty seafood chowder, made with fresh shrimp, clams, and crab, followed by a succulent roasted pork topped with a spicy Caribbean-style sauce.

Staib also prepares a side dish of plantains, a staple of Caribbean cuisine, cooked to perfection in a blend of savory spices. For dessert, he bakes a traditional Cuban flan, infused with the sweet and smoky flavors of sugarcane.

Throughout the episode, Staib shares stories and historical anecdotes about infamous pirates such as Blackbeard and Anne Bonny, and their exploits in the Caribbean. He also explores the cultural impact of Spanish colonization and the African slave trade on the region's cuisine.

With his signature blend of culinary expertise and historical insight, Walter Staib brings to life the exciting and complex world of Caribbean pirates, and serves up a delicious feast that would have satisfied even the most discerning buccaneer.