Ep 11. Clams And Cannoli

In the 11th episode of the third season of Carnival Eats, viewers are taken on a journey through the delicious and unique cuisine found at various carnivals and fairs throughout North America. This particular episode, titled "Clams And Cannoli," focuses on two iconic foods that are beloved by many: clams and cannoli.

The episode begins with host Noah Cappe traveling to the Cape May County fair in New Jersey, where he discovers a seafood favorite with a twist. The Seafood Shack is a food stand that specializes in cooking up fresh clams and seafood in a unique way. Noah tries their famous "Fisherman's Delight," which includes a heaping pile of deep-fried clams, shrimp, and scallops served on a stick. The seafood is coated in a crispy batter and served with a side of homemade tartar sauce, making it a perfect treat to enjoy while walking through the fair.

Next, Noah heads to the North Carolina State Fair, where he meets Chef Stephen Dewey of the Old North State Catering Company. Chef Dewey has created a truly unique take on a classic Italian dessert: the cannoli. Instead of the traditional sweet filling of ricotta cheese, Chef Dewey stuffs his cannoli shells with savory ingredients like bacon and smoked salmon. Noah tries several of these unconventional cannolis, including one with pulled pork and coleslaw and another with blue cheese and chicken.

After a quick stop in Idaho for a taste of "Fry Bread Tacos," Noah heads to the Miami-Dade County Fair in Florida for some more seafood delights. This time, he visits King of the Sea, which specializes in a wide variety of seafood dishes. Noah tries their "Lobster Feast," which includes a generous portion of lobster tail, claws, and knuckles on a stick. The lobster meat is grilled to perfection, then brushed with garlic butter and sprinkled with parsley. Noah also samples their conch fritters, which are a local favorite in Florida.

Noah then travels to the Iowa State Fair, where he meets a family-run food stand called the "Porkchop Shop." They specialize in all things pork, including their famous "Iowa Pork Chop on a Stick." This massive pork chop is marinated and grilled to perfection, then served on a stick for easy eating. Noah also tries their bacon-wrapped ribeye steak, which is served with a side of garlic mashed potatoes.

Next up is the Alaska State Fair, where Noah discovers a delicious twist on a classic carnival food: the corn dog. At a food stand called "Waffle Wagon," they serve up a unique take on the classic corn dog by dipping it in a sweet waffle batter instead. The result is a crispy and sweet treat that Noah can't get enough of.

Finally, Noah heads to the Ohio State Fair for a taste of some classic fair food: funnel cakes. However, the funnel cakes he tries at "Marty's Waffles" are far from ordinary. Marty's makes their funnel cakes from scratch, then adds unique toppings like peanut butter cups and fruit. Noah tries their "S'More Funnel Cake," which is topped with chocolate, marshmallow, and graham cracker crumbs.

Overall, "Clams And Cannoli" is an episode that celebrates the creative and delicious foods found at carnivals and fairs throughout the country. From savory seafood to sweet treats, there is something for everyone in this episode. Noah Cappe does an excellent job of highlighting each unique dish and sharing the stories behind the people who make them.