Tasty Trails Travel Pod

This week, I’m chatting with Kathy McCabe, travel expert and host of PBS’s Dream of Italy. Kathy shares her deep connection to Italy—rooted in family history—and her experiences exploring the country’s rich culture, regional differences, and zest for life. From her grandfather's quest to find his ancestral town to her favorite tortellini moments in Emilia-Romagna, Kathy reveals what makes Italy so magical. Tune in for heartfelt stories, insider tips, and a fresh perspective on one of the world's most beloved destinations. Don't forget to rate, review, and share this episode! Connect with Kathy: Watch Dream of Italy [https://dreamofitaly.com/tv-show/season-three/] Instagram: @dreamofitaly [https://www.instagram.com/dreamofitaly/] Plus all of her resources! [https://linktr.ee/dreamofitaly?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY-QH2BPtFvggaDjRcq2fxyizvDePoCNzpXpJq5EG5JeS8BreuM05TgF98_aem_wwtJkjl3F6jD53UxuI4rvw] Sign up for the newsletter!! Each month I'll be sending out a newsletter with insider tips Sign up ⁠HERE⁠ [https://link.feacreate.com/widget/form/WNFOo8gdEA58zbrcpOCO]!   ***Looking to experience the flavors we've explored firsthand?  Skip the stress of travel planning and work with a trusted professional to take care of all of that for you!   Travel Trails specializes in crafting unforgettable travel experiences tailored to your taste for adventure.  Don’t miss out on tasting these delicious dishes because you don’t have the time to plan.  Visit https://travel-trails.com/ [https://travel-trails.com/] to learn more and follow  @TastyTrailsTravelPod [https://www.instagram.com/tastytrailstravelpod/] and @Travel.Trails___ [https://www.instagram.com/travel.trails___/] on Instagram to stay up to date on episodes and all things food & travel

This week is Thanksgiving in the US! So we're celebrating by talking a little more about where this holiday comes from and what it's REALLY about. But the most special part is getting to hear from all of you about what you're thankful for! Listeners messaged in and we're sharing some of the messages on this episode. What are you thankful for this year? Special thanks to everyone who messaged in! - Leah & Mae - Alejanda - Ingrid - Bryan - Cailin - Kaley - Marielle - Britta - Maria - Mark - Gabi - Sarah - Steven - Sandra - Marco - Jillana Sign up for the newsletter!! Each month I'll be sending out a newsletter with insider tips Sign up⁠ ⁠HERE⁠⁠ [https://link.feacreate.com/widget/form/WNFOo8gdEA58zbrcpOCO]!   ***Looking to experience the flavors we've explored firsthand?  Skip the stress of travel planning and work with a trusted professional to take care of all of that for you!   Travel Trails specializes in crafting unforgettable travel experiences tailored to your taste for adventure.  Don’t miss out on tasting these delicious dishes because you don’t have the time to plan.  Visit ⁠https://travel-trails.com/⁠ [https://travel-trails.com/] to learn more and follow  ⁠@TastyTrailsTravelPod⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/tastytrailstravelpod/] and ⁠@Travel.Trails___⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/travel.trails___/] on Instagram to stay up to date on episodes and all things food & travel

We’re back this week with the second half of our chat with Chef Amethyst Ganaway! If you haven’t heard the first part yet, hit pause and go listen—it’s full of great context for this episode. Chef Amethyst is an award-winning chef featured in The New York Times and Food & Wine magazine. She specializes in Gullah Geechee cuisine and the food of the African diaspora in the South. This week, we dive deeper into Gullah Geechee traditions, their influence on Southern food, and how these flavors and techniques shaped what we now think of as American cuisine. ✨ Highlights: * Why Gullah Geechee food is the foundation of American cuisine. * The story behind dishes like Hoppin’ John (hint: it’s not just peas and rice!) and okra stew. * Pro tips for cooking okra—yes, you can get rid of the slime! * How freshness, smokiness, and umami define Gullah Geechee flavors. * Where to find authentic Gullah Geechee eats if you’re around Charleston. If you’re curious about the roots of farm-to-table or want to learn more about a cuisine that blends African, Indigenous, and Southern influences, this episode is for you. 🎧 Grab your headphones and join us for the journey! Connect with Chef Amethyst: Instagram: ⁠@thizzg⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/thizzg/] Online: ⁠www.waterwhippin.com⁠ [http://www.waterwhippin.com/] THANKSGIVING EPISODE: Follow and then DM a voice memo to @tastytrailstravelpod [https://www.instagram.com/tastytrailstravelpod/] on Instagram with: 1. Your name 2. Where you're from (country, state, city, whatever you want) 3. What you're thankful for Send all messages by end of day Monday, November 25th. And you'll be tagged in the episode! Sign up for the newsletter!! Each month I'll be sending out a newsletter with insider tips Sign up⁠ ⁠HERE⁠⁠ [https://link.feacreate.com/widget/form/WNFOo8gdEA58zbrcpOCO]!   ***Looking to experience the flavors we've explored firsthand?  Skip the stress of travel planning and work with a trusted professional to take care of all of that for you!   Travel Trails specializes in crafting unforgettable travel experiences tailored to your taste for adventure.  Don’t miss out on tasting these delicious dishes because you don’t have the time to plan.  Visit ⁠https://travel-trails.com/⁠ [https://travel-trails.com/] to learn more and follow  ⁠@TastyTrailsTravelPod⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/tastytrailstravelpod/] and ⁠@Travel.Trails___⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/travel.trails___/] on Instagram to stay up to date on episodes and all things food & travel

I'm excited to welcome award-winning chef and food writer Amethyst Ganaway onto the pod as we delve into the history and culture of the Gullah Geechee people, descendants of West African slaves in the American South. Chef Amethyst shares the Gullah Geechee’s enduring West African heritage, spanning language, food, art, and music, while tracing the vital role they played in the economic boom of the American South through their cultivation of Carolina Gold rice. This fascinating conversation delves into how isolation along the coast preserved their unique culture and how their contributions have shaped both Southern and American foodways. We explore how Gullah Geechee traditions—especially in food—are deeply rooted in West African heritage, how Carolina Gold rice changed the course of U.S. history, and the resilience behind it all. Connect with Chef Amethyst: Instagram: @thizzg [https://www.instagram.com/thizzg/] Online: www.waterwhippin.com [http://www.waterwhippin.com/] Sign up for the newsletter!! Each month I'll be sending out a newsletter with insider tips Sign up ⁠HERE⁠ [https://link.feacreate.com/widget/form/WNFOo8gdEA58zbrcpOCO]!   ***Looking to experience the flavors we've explored firsthand?  Skip the stress of travel planning and work with a trusted professional to take care of all of that for you!   Travel Trails specializes in crafting unforgettable travel experiences tailored to your taste for adventure.  Don’t miss out on tasting these delicious dishes because you don’t have the time to plan.  Visit https://travel-trails.com/ [https://travel-trails.com/] to learn more and follow  @TastyTrailsTravelPod [https://www.instagram.com/tastytrailstravelpod/] and @Travel.Trails___ [https://www.instagram.com/travel.trails___/] on Instagram to stay up to date on episodes and all things food & travel

In this episode, Snezhana gives us an inside scoop on Russian holiday traditions, kicking things off with the iconic Olivier salad—a must-have for New Year’s and known abroad as “Russian Salad.” She chats about other holiday favorites like "Herring Under a Fur Coat," a colorful layered salad, and even "meat in jello," a cold dish you’ll find at family gatherings. And of course, we can’t forget vodka! She shares how it’s more than a drink—it's a tradition in itself, complete with heartfelt toasts. From backyard barbecues to painting eggs for Easter, Snezhana shares how these foods bring family and friends together across Russia. *** Connect with Snezhana on Instagram ⁠@ahsnezhana ⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/ahsnezhana/] Sign up for the newsletter!! Each month I'll be sending out a newsletter with insider tips Sign up⁠ ⁠HERE⁠⁠ [https://link.feacreate.com/widget/form/WNFOo8gdEA58zbrcpOCO]!  Follow ⁠⁠@TastyTrailsTravelPod⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/tastytrailstravelpod/] and ⁠⁠@Travel.Trails___⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/travel.trails___/] on Instagram to stay up to date on episodes and all things food & travel ***Looking to experience the flavors we've explored firsthand?  Skip the stress of travel planning and work with a trusted professional to take care of all of that for you!   Travel Trails specializes in crafting unforgettable travel experiences tailored to your taste for adventure.  Don’t miss out on tasting these delicious dishes because you don’t have the time to plan.  Visit ⁠https://travel-trails.com/⁠ [https://travel-trails.com/] to learn more