Edible Land Snails Or Escargot Are A Delicacy

French Snails

Escargot is thought of as an exquisite dish and indeed it is. They are snails, a land mollusk and may not be something you even want to think about let alone eat one. And if you haven't yet tried them, the idea may not be very appealing… but you may well be surprised! Two scrumptious recipes here for you to try "Snails Smothered In Garlic Sauce" and "Snails With White Wine & Mushrooms!"

Escargot is a dish of cooked land snails, usually served as an appetizer in France and in French restaurants, and it is no secret that many people find snails to be a delicious starter to a meal, something of a delicacy, which makes them rather expensive.

In rural parts of France, it is not unusual to see locals wandering the roadside hedgerows searching for snails.

Escargot snails are often thought of as shellfish as people confuse them with a water creature because they have a hard shell. They are not completely wrong as land snails are mollusks like mussels or scallops.

Curious about mussels? Try this scrumptious classic recipe Mussels In White Wine, Mussels and Frites, Mussel Soup Recipe, or if you fancy the idea of learning how to cook sauteed scallops like the pros, you will be surprised how simple and divine they are!

How To Prepare Snails For Eating

But before they can be eaten:

1. The snails have to be purged.

Like most mollusks, escargots are high in protein (as much as 15%) and low in fat (if cooked without butter), but in reality they are about 80% water.

The snails are first prepared by purging them of the likely undesirable contents of their digestive systems.

The process used to accomplish this varies, but generally involves a combination of fasting and purging or simply feeding them on a wholesome replacement like grape leaves, lettuce, apples, flour or bran.

Something that will clean their system of the food they naturally consume which can be harmful to humans. The methods most often used can take several days.

Farms producing snails (Helix aspersa) for sale exist in Europe and in the United States.

In the late 1980s, escargots represented a $300 million-a-year business in the US.

2. Killed.

The snails are placed in a pot of cold water with some salt and a few drops of vinegar where the waste will be purged from their bodies.

3. Cleaned.

With a sharp the snail foot is removed, which is the cover over the opening of the shell. Then placed in a pot of with lots of cold water. Any snails that float are thrown out.

Then 2 or 3 snails are taken out and rubbed together by hand, set aside and the process is continued until all have been rubbed.

The water is discarded, the snails placed back into the pot and filled again with lots of cold water and the process repeated again.

Then the snails need to be rinsed very well.

4. Then, cooked.

Snails are usually cooked with garlic, butter, chicken stock or wine.

5. Served

Often snails are placed back into their shells with the butter and sauce for serving.

Additional ingredients may be added, such as garlic, thyme, parsley and pine nuts.

OR

Buy canned snails at the grocery store!

But, place them in a bowl, cover with cold water and let sit for several minutes to remove any flavor they may have picked up from the can.

Then, dry them well with paper towel or clean kitchen towel before adding to the recipe of your choice.

Escargot is considered a high end appetizer that is served in fine dining establishments and can be quite pricey. Now you can prepare your own French snail delicacy!

More Delicious Hors d'Oeuvres

• The Best Asparagus Soup Recipe
• So Good Mussel Soup Recipe
• Delectable Mussels In Wine Sauce
• Belgium Influence Moules Frites
• Stuffed Avocados

There are many ways to serve French Snail Dishes:

1. Snails With White Wine & Mushrooms

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📖 Recipe

2. Snails Smothered In Garlic Sauce

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📖 Recipe