Ep 2. Merida -- Exploring With the Locals

Pati's Mexican Table season 5 episode 2, titled "Merida -- Exploring With the Locals," is a vibrant and flavorful journey through the heart of Mexico's Yucatan region. Host Pati Jinich takes viewers on a culinary adventure, discovering the region's rich history, culture, and food.

Jinich begins her journey in the city of Merida, where she meets up with local food blogger Cristian Lugo to explore some of the city's iconic dishes. They start with a visit to the bustling Mercado Santiago, where they sample some of the region's delicious street food, including panuchos (crispy tortillas filled with beans and topped with meat and vegetables) and salbutes (fried tortillas topped with shredded chicken and pickled onions). Next, they head to a local bakery to try their famous cochinita pibil (slow-roasted pork wrapped in banana leaves), a dish that has become synonymous with Yucatan cuisine.

Jinich and Lugo then venture further afield, heading to the picturesque town of Tizimin to explore the local food scene. Here, they visit a traditional market where they meet local cook Francisca Pool, who shares some of her family recipes with them. They learn how to make chaya, a nutrient-rich green leafy vegetable that is commonly used in Yucatan cooking, and try their hand at making poc chuc, a marinated pork dish that is cooked over a charcoal grill.

But the highlight of the episode comes when Jinich and Lugo join a group of local women for a cooking class in a traditional outdoor kitchen. Here, they learn how to make one of the region's most iconic dishes: papadzules, a delicate egg and pumpkin seed-filled tortilla dish that is topped with a light tomato sauce and served with a garnish of sliced hard-boiled eggs and mild green chiles. The women teach Jinich and Lugo the traditional way of making the dish, grinding the pumpkin seeds by hand and wrapping the tortillas around the filling using a special technique.

Throughout the episode, Jinich explores the rich cultural history of the Yucatan, from its ancient Mayan roots to its colonial past and modern-day influences. She also highlights the region's vibrant and diverse food scene, showcasing the range of flavors and ingredients that make Yucatan cuisine so unique.

"Merida -- Exploring With the Locals" is a feast for the senses, blending history, culture, and food in a way that is both educational and entertaining. Pati Jinich's infectious enthusiasm and genuine curiosity shine through as she immerses herself in the local culture, and viewers are sure to be left with a newfound appreciation for the vibrant and delicious cuisine of the Yucatan.