UNIQUE FOODS: SNAILS (ESCARGOT)

Escargot

As quoted from wikipedia, “snail is a common name that can be used for almost all members of the molluscan class Gastropoda which has coiled shells in the adult stage”. The snails commonly used for consumption are the land snails, which are the snails that live in almost every kind of habitat, from deserts and mountains to marshes (wetlands), woodland, and gardens. The edible snails are particularly the species Helix Aspersa or Cornu Aspersum.

Although it is considered as a French dish, escargot or snails actually have been consumed for thousand of years now. It is believed that men in prehistoric age have been consuming the snails. Snails are even eaten in Africa, Mediterranean region, and Roman Empire.

Before it is cooked into many kinds of cuisines, the snails must be cleaned thoroughly, due to the toxic content as the result of the specific element contained in dirt, which the snails ate.  The cleansing process can last for several days.

Gulai Siput

In French cuisine snails are very popular, and known as escargot. Basically, escargot is snails prepared with traditional French recipes. Usually it is served still in the shell with garlic and parsley butter.

Not only in France, snails are also considered as delicacy in many parts of the world. You can name countries like Portugal, Spain, Greece, Sicily, China, Japan, and more. Even here in Indonesia, some people love the delicious taste of the animal. Moreover in our beloved countries, the cuisines made from snails are more varied. Snails are made into satay,  gulai (coconut-milk-based soup), pepes (steamed inside the banana leaf), and more.

The Art of Eating Escargot

The way to enjoy escargot, especially the ones that served with their shells is quite an “adventure”.  You have to use snail tong, which functions to clasp or hold the shell, while the snail fork is used to take the snail meat out off the shell.

Do snails have nutritional values? Yes, they do. Snails contain quite high amount of protein but a low amount of fat. The protein contained in snails is approximately about 15%, the fat is 2.4%, and 80% water. A study conducted in Brazil, estimated that snails contained 75% unsaturated fatty acids that consists of 57% polyunsaturated fatty acids, 15.5% monounsaturated fatty acids, and 23025% saturated fatty acids. This means that snails are a healthy alternative food, especially for people with high protein low fat diet requirements.


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