Ep 4. Samoa

On season 3 episode 4 of Bizarre Foods, host Andrew Zimmern travels to the beautiful islands of Samoa to explore the unique cuisine and traditions of the Samoan people. Samoa is a small island country located in the South Pacific, known for its stunning beaches, lush rainforests, and rich cultural heritage.

Zimmern begins his journey in the capital city of Apia, where he meets with local experts to learn about the traditional practices of Samoan food. He discovers that Samoa has a strong agricultural history, with much of the population relying on farming for sustenance.

One of the first dishes Zimmern tries is palusami, a delicious combination of taro leaves and coconut cream. This dish is wrapped in banana leaves and baked in an underground oven, known as an umu, which is a traditional Samoan cooking method that dates back centuries.

Zimmern also tries a variety of seafood dishes, including raw fish marinated in lime juice and coconut milk, called oka. He learns that the Samoan people have a deep respect for the ocean and its resources, and that fish and seafood are a staple of their diet.

Throughout his travels, Zimmern also learns about the importance of family and community in Samoan culture. He visits a local village, where he helps to prepare a feast for the entire community. The feast includes a whole pig roasted in an umu, as well as a variety of other dishes, such as taro root, breadfruit, and fresh coconut.

In addition to food, Zimmern also learns about the traditional Polynesian dance of Samoa, called the siva. He attends a performance by a local dance group and even gets the chance to try out some of the moves himself.

Overall, the episode showcases the warmth and hospitality of the Samoan people, as well as their unique cuisine and cultural traditions. Zimmern’s journey highlights the importance of respecting and preserving traditional ways of life, especially in the face of modernization and globalization.