Here’s something you may not have learned in history class: The original Underground Railroad traveled from North to South. For reasons our guest will explain, during the late 17th and early 18th centuries, Spanish Florida offered refuge to people fleeing enslavement from British colonies. 

So what does this have to do with food? Well, the mingling of Spanish settlers, free Blacks and indigenous people in St. Augustine led to some pretty unique ways of eating whose influence shows up on our plates even today. That’s why our guest, historian Andrew Batten of Florida Living History, says Florida is the birthplace of fusion cuisine.

For more Florida food history, check out these previous episodes of The Zest: