Preparing snails for cooking

212. Before snails can be used you must be sure that there is no food in them. They must be clean inside.

213. Snails that have been stored in a container (see Items 210 and 211 in this booklet) for more than four days will have no food left in them. They are clean inside.

214. However, snails which have just been taken from the pen have been eating and are usually full of food.

215. So, before you can use them you must wait for them to become clean inside. To do this you need only to keep them from eating.

216. Put them in a container where they can get no food but plenty of air. You can use a covered basket or a net sack.

Use a covered basket or a net sack

217. Put the basket or sack in a cool place away from the sun. After four days the snails will be clean inside.

Put the container away from sun

218. All snails must be washed and boiled just before cooking them.

219. First, put them in clean, cool water with a little salt and vinegar.

Put them in clean water

220. After a short time the water will begin 10 turn white and you will know that the snails are being washed inside.

221. When the water is very white, take the snails out and empty out the old water. Then put them again in clean, cool water with a little salt and vinegar.

Empty out dirty water; wash snails again

222. Continue to wash them this way until the water no longer turns white. Then you will know that the snails are completely washed.

223. Now put the snails in boiling water, again with salt and vinegar, and boil them at least five minutes. The snails are now ready to be cooked.

Boil snails with salt and vinegar for five minutes

Note

Snail meat can be cooked like any meat or it can be cut into pieces and added to a stew or vegetables. If snails are eaten where you live, there will be many ways to cook them.