Snails

[gregorach]

Breeding them is apparently quite easy: How Do You Breed Snails?

Just keep 'em away from my allotment! Although I suppose I really should try eating them sometime - I normally just smash them and leave them for the birds.

 

[Melonfish]

my youngest picked up the habit of "snail stomping" in my mums veg garden, but i'm trying to teach him all about "mini beasts" and he's finally coming round, i'll soon have him eating snail

 

[andy_e]

Some friends of mine keep/kept giant african land-snails, the biggest one was about fist-sized *. The problem there wasn't breeding them, it was stopping them from breeding. Funnily enough, my suggestion of feeing them on garlic tops fell on deaf ears.

Edit: * LOL, just realised that fists come in all shapes and sizes, let's say a good four to five inch diameter shell and when extended the "foot" was about 8 - 10 inches long.

 

[Harvestman]

Nothing wrong with eating the good old garden snail, but in some places the Roman snail is getting to be a bit scarce, so a certain amount of care is needed that you don't over-collect. Still fairly common in the South east, I understand. I've never seen one, let alone tasted one. Would like to (both).

 

[UltimateSurvivor]

Yep, They look delicious!

Alot of people are completely against eating them, even if they havn't yet tried them... I don't know why but each to their own. These are great to eat in a Survival situation too.

 

[Harvestman]

...put the empty shells in a box and send them to me!!!

Got to ask. What do you do with the shells then? Got a snail shell sitting next to me now. Intruiged by what you might say

 

[BarryG]

Oh yeah, I love seafood and shellfish, snails are no different. Don't understand folk that eat winkles and mussels and then turn their noses up at snails.

I'm definitely one of these people.... However I would give snails a go... id have to break my snail virginity, in a restaurant though, I think.

 

[TeeDee]

For an extra 10p you can 'go large' on that,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtM0Y3YihAU&feature=related



Hmmm, Snail Spit Roast , yummy.

 

[ukbushmonkey]

I have never eaten a snail, got to say I dont think my stomach could handle it lol I would give it a go, but maybe a small one.

 

[fiskman6666]

Tried some last year when we were having a bbq,foraged around the garden and chucked a few on the griddle ,pulled out of the shell took off the gooey bit at the back and dipped in butter ,very nice indeed.Apparently tho be careful of liver fluke i have been told.
Dave

 

[Everything Mac]

I think if there is another scottish meet up at Comrie this year I could be talked round into trying some.

but as said it would be a cold day in hell before I did them myself.



what do they taste like then?

 

[ukbushmonkey]

Like cold bogies I should imagine

 

[Jolyon]

We export them to the French... althuogh i can understadn why people turn their noses up.... they are quite chewy and tatse a little earthy... but enuogh garlic and yum yum...;-)

 

[JonathanD]

what do they taste like then?

They are actually quite tasty, Can't really define the taste... snaily.

 

[Stanleythecat]

A few questions...

I was just in France for 10 days and saw some snails, however the sqweemish cries of my vegetarian girlfriend and daughter thought that now was not the time!

Funny then to chance across this thread.

Are the roman snails the only edible snail we have? is the common garden snail edible?

If I followed your suggestions on purging etc, what would be the best way to cook these and try for the first time in the field (no chance I'd be allowed at home!!!), cooking times, seasoning etc.

oh and is there a season? I know they hibernate, can they be collected in colder climes?

Thanks

Leo

 

[JonathanD]

Are the roman snails the only edible snail we have? is the common garden snail edible?

If I followed your suggestions on purging etc, what would be the best way to cook these and try for the first time in the field (no chance I'd be allowed at home!!!), cooking times, seasoning etc.

oh and is there a season? I know they hibernate, can they be collected in colder climes?

The common garden snail is edible, that's what I'm cooking in the pics. You can eat them at any time during the year.

The best way to cook them is by boiling in the field, or directly in the embers. Best to kep them in a cold box or fridge for a few hours prior to cooking though as they will come out of their shells and will be cooked open. This makes them look more unappetising, as they look alive and more snail like than if cooked curled up in their shells.

 

[Stanleythecat]

Tried some last year when we were having a bbq,foraged around the garden and chucked a few on the griddle ,pulled out of the shell took off the gooey bit at the back and dipped in butter ,very nice indeed.Apparently tho be careful of liver fluke i have been told.
Dave

Thanks Jonathan

...and do you have to remove the brown gooey bit!?

 

[JonathanD]

Thanks Jonathan

...and do you have to remove the brown gooey bit!?

I don't personally.

 

[born2roam]

Snail over limpets any day!
Never thought about breeding them. Although the Khmer were and still are breeding spiders for food. First out of necessity (courtesy of Pol Pot) and now because they just tast good.... even if you try it around Khao San Road in Bangkok...

Then again.... I eat (almost) anything....even Brussels sprouts ;-)

Grtz Johan

 

[Retired Member southey]

hey Hey HEY! There's nothing wrong with sprouts. hhhmmm sprouts cooked in butter.