Ep 3. Iowa

In the third episode of season 9 of Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, the culinary adventurer heads to the heartland of America to explore the unique cuisine of Iowa. Surrounded by rolling fields of corn and soybeans, Andrew sets out to find the lesser-known delicacies of this Midwestern state.

His first stop is at a family farm where he learns about the importance of agriculture to the state's economy. He gets his hands dirty by helping to harvest some sweet corn, a staple of Iowa's cuisine. He also tries his hand at making a traditional Iowa dessert called rhubarb custard pie, which combines the tartness of rhubarb with the creaminess of custard.

Andrew then heads to Des Moines, the state capital, to explore the city's thriving food scene. He samples a variety of unique dishes, including a pork belly sandwich with kimchi slaw, a spicy Thai-inspired soup called khao soi, and a dessert made with buttered popcorn ice cream and candied bacon.

Next, Andrew travels to the Mississippi River town of Dubuque where he meets a local chef who introduces him to a century-old dish called tjaden's soup. Made with beef hearts, liver, and kidneys, this soup was originally created by a German immigrant family and has become a beloved dish in the area. Andrew is hesitant to try it at first, but he ends up enjoying the rich, meaty flavor.

Andrew also visits a local brewery to taste some of Iowa's best craft beers. He discovers that the state has a burgeoning craft beer scene, with many breweries using locally-grown ingredients like hops and barley.

Finally, Andrew heads to the town of Elkader to experience Iowa's vibrant Muslim community. He joins a family for a traditional halal meal, which includes lamb kebabs, hummus, and pita bread. He learns about the history of the Muslim community in Iowa and its important contributions to the state's culture.

Throughout the episode, Andrew showcases the diversity of Iowa's cuisine and the passion of its chefs, farmers, and food makers. He proves that there is much more to Iowa's food scene than just corn and pork, and that exploring the state's unique flavors is truly a delicious adventure.