Snails are good for consumption. Also known as Escargot, It is a great source of lean protein since they are almost fat-free, carbohydrate-free, and sugar-free.
They include a lot of iron, magnesium, selenium, phosphorus, and potassium. Snails, like other mollusks, are high in tryptophan, an amino acid that aids in the production of serotonin in the brain.
If you would love to know the health benefits of snails, It is also a great indication towards knowing if it is good or bad to eat snail.
How We See Snails In the United States
Snails are more commonly known as garden pests in the United States than the gourmet dish escargot, famous in certain parts of France.
Snails inhabit mostly the top leaf litter of woods, ancient fields, and wetlands in the United States. Still, they also live in more disturbed environments such as active gardens and fields, riversides, suburbs, and even cities. Snails and slugs with no visible shell are included in the category of “land snails.”
On the other hand, snails are low in fat, high in protein, and high in various essential vitamins and minerals such as selenium, magnesium, vitamin E, and phosphorus.
Snails are available in frozen, fresh, or canned, forms and we can benefit from a simple preparation method such as frying, cooking, roasting or sautéing.
Telling you that consuming Snail is beneficial alone will not do justice; let me show you in details why for the past 3 years, Snail has been my run to source for bodily nutrients.
Why Do People Eat Snails
If you’re a curious foodie like me, you’ve undoubtedly tried snails; a one-of-a-kind experience that superseded my perceptions.
But a little more sensitive when it comes to food? Then you’ve probably never tried a snail, and I can’t fault you either; they don’t look particularly appetizing.
But, as the phrase goes, “it’s what’s in there that counts,” and they do taste good, so I’ve decided to make it my task to have more people on board with snails.
In addition to being low-fat and high in protein, Snails are also high in iron, calcium, Vitamin A, and various other minerals.
Vitamin A strengthens your eyes and helps your immune system fight disease. It also promotes the growth of body cells.
Snails, or ‘Escargots’ as they are known in France, are a delectable dish. Their texture is comparable to mussels, and they are easy to cook and full of nutrients.
Snails have become increasingly common on restaurant menus across the UK, with chain restaurant Café Rouge sometimes getting in on the act.
When researching the health advantages of snails, I came across this article, which claims that Romans used snails to cure hangovers (by massaging them on their forehead, not eating them!), proving that they have a wide range of applications.
They are traditionally served with garlic butter (Escargot a la Bourguignonne!), but you can also try this mouthwatering recipe for spicy snails.
Get a freeze dried African giant snail here
Why Do People Not Eat Snails
Except for the swizzle stick, presumably, nothing has been so reviled and misunderstood in modern times as the Escargot. In America, it is known as the Snail. It has received so much negative publicity and vicious rumor that it is difficult for even the most logical person to tell whether Escargot is going up or down.
People don’t eat snails for two reasons:
- they do not like them, and
- they are frightened of them. I say hogwash for both of these reasons!
Selenium, phosphorous, vitamins E and A, among other vitamins and minerals, are essential for life. When consumed in large quantities, they lower blood pressure, improve vision, and alleviate insomnia. They will also emit a distinct aroma that can only be recognized in fine dining.
Are Dried-Freeze Snails Cooked
Dried freeze snails are raw. Their preparation process is hygienic and safe from bacteria, and thus, they are safe to handle and consume.
How To Prepare Dried-Freeze Snails
A typical dried-freeze snail has a shelf life of more than 6 months, showing how dry they come. I usually store mine in a dry airtight container for up to 1 year!
To use,
- I place it in a bowl and add boiling water (100 degrees)
- I add lemon for the flavor and
- allow soaking for at least 2 hours. This step is significant for me because I get rid of any bacteria or germs that may have come with handling.
- My snails are ready to use and come out exactly like freshly prepared snails.
- Finally, I season and allow to marinate then parboil before I set out to grill, fry or sautee, except I am using it for a sauce or soup that requires some cooking.
Where Can You Find Snails
You’ll need to look carefully to see where you can find suitable snails to get started. Here are some of the more commonplace locations where you can find them:
- In groceries or online, nothing beats the time I save from preparation like the dried-freeze snails I found. They come out so fresh as if I got it out of the shells myself, except I don’t have to go through the torture of slime all over my fingers.
- You can frequently find them near plants and other leafy bodies. They can cling to such light surfaces quite well.
- They’re also common in shallow bodies of water; this includes areas near streams. However, you may have an easier time finding them along the coasts.
- If you can’t find snails in the wild, you can always buy them in a store. Although not all camping and outdoor equipment stores sell live snails, many do.
Is Snail Good For The Kidney
Food with high sodium, potassium, and phosphorus levels like snails and seafood, tomatoes and nightshade vegetables should be limited or avoided.
Lowering your potassium, phosphorus, and sodium intake can help you manage the disease if you have renal failure.
The severity of your kidney damage will determine the dietary restrictions and nutrient intake recommendations.
Following a renal diet can be challenging and restrictive at times. So I advise you work with a healthcare professional and a renal dietitian that can help you design a renal diet tailored to your specific needs.
How To Use Dried Freeze Snails
Freeze-dried Snails are a high-quality food. It’s a real fiesta and a viable addition or supplement for those who enjoy eating meat, fish or shrimp.
I recommend using it in conjunction with a complete meal. Some people like to pair it with wine or a snack.
Noteworthy: I check my cholesterol content by replacing heavy cream or butter with olive oil or coconut oil, especially for my snail dishes.
Snail cholesterol levels can skyrocket when used with butter, heavy cream or coconut milk.
What Is The Best Way To Store My Dried Freeze Snails
Without refrigeration, the freeze-dried Giant African land snail will last up to 12 months. Please leave it in a sealable bag, If you have pieces of snails left. It’s ideal for long-term house storage.
If you bought your Escargot dried-freeze, do not refreeze them once they’ve thawed, as this can cause them to spoil.
Whether fresh or canned, Escargot can often be safely frozen when specific measures are applied (although, as with shellfish, prolonged freezer storage can lose flavor over time.)
Can You Get Salmonella From Snails
Yes, food more likely to be contaminated with Salmonella includes the following:
- Fish (raw and undercooked)
- Raw or undercooked meat, minced meat or tartare, various types of sausage (meat, salami)
- Seafood among which are shrimps, prawns, crabs, calamari, Escargot etc
- Eggs that are raw or partially cooked, as well as egg products such as mayonnaise, creams or Salads based on eggs, or raw cake batter
- Vegetables
- Vanilla ice cream
- From one person to another
- Through direct animal contact, Infections caused by direct contact with domestic animals are uncommon. Snakes, bearded dragons (a type of lizard), and turtles, on the other hand, excrete Salmonella more frequently.
- Pet owners are most likely to become infected through their pets’ feces.
- Feces-infested surfaces can also be a source of infection.
Salmonella most commonly enters the human digestive tract through food; they can quickly multiply in unrefrigerated foods.
Bacteria can also enter the food through poor kitchen hygiene, such as contaminated cutting boards or surfaces.
Are Dried Freeze Snails Safe To Consume
Yes! As long as you followed the procedure I stated above in cleaning before use; you’ve got this! I promise.
African giant snails are considered a pest and illegalhere in the US, so it is safe to get yours already prepped as these snails are bred in a controlled environment safe from pesticides and fed with the same vegetables we consume.
One of the reasons I believe Americans prefer dried-freeze and canned snails to fresh snails could be this, “better safe than sorry.”
Spicy Snail Recipe (Side Dish)
Spicy Snail is a popular dish on Nigerian restaurant menus at parties. I find it so simple to prepare spicy Snails because all of the hard work is cleaning the snails.
This will be taken care of if you use Jeb Foods Freeze-Dried Snail. Once you’ve completed that, the rest of the preparation is simple.
See how to bring back to life the freeze-dried Snail
You can choose how spicy and sweet you want your Escargot to be.
I used the following ingredients for spicy Snails:
Preparation time: 15 Minutes
Cook time: 20 Minutes
Total Time: 35 Minutes
Servings: 10
Ingredients
- 10 large African giant snails,
- 4 (or to taste),
- 5 plum tomatoes,
- 1 onion,
- 1 large stock cube,
- cooking coconut oil (1tbsp.),
- Sweet barbecue sauce
- and salt (to taste)
- 1 onion (for serving)
- To serve, you’ll need toothpicks.
Instructions
- Place the cleaned snails in a pot and cover them with water.
- Add chopped onions and seasoning cube
- Cook on medium heat while covered for 10 minutes. Top up the water if needed while cooking to prevent it from burning
- In a separate pot, heat coconut oil, add garlic and onions.
- Add plum tomatoes and chopped habanero peppers; allow to fry on medium heat
- By now, the fluid in the Snail would have reduced, (You don’t want to waste any flavor by pouring the snail stock away.
- Set it aside for now.)Remember to keep topping with water as you cook them. It’s worth noting that the snails’ tongues are too crunchy even after they’ve been cooked.
- When the water from the peppers, tomatoes, and onions has evaporated, add to the snail pan and constantly stir to not stick to the bottom of the pot.
- Add some sweet barbecue sauce (optional: for that sweet flavor)
- Add salt to taste
- That’s it! Allow cooling slightly before inserting toothpicks and serving with onions.
- Serve it as a side dish when entertaining guests or having dinner with the family.
Final Thought
Determining if snails are good or bad, I will say they are good.
Snails are an excellent and savory dish to try out. Once you get over the dread of the slimy creature, you appreciate the health benefits and the unique tastes it offers from the usual.
It is important to follow the health tips in preparations and hygiene if you decide to hunt your snails.
In all, I recommend you give the plate of yumminess a try and remember to let me in on your experience if it’s a first for you.
Don’t forget to get quality Dried-freeze African Giant snail here for a uniform taste
