Is it possible to eat garden snails if cooked?

[Nick Blair]

There seems to be huge number of them in Britain, yet we don't eat them. Why is this? Are they poisonous or do British dislike them because they are ugly and disgusting?

[Nicos]

I think almost all snails are edible if starved and cleaned and cooked properly.
I think you'd need to do some careful research if you are thinking of eating some though!

[Pumpkin Becki]

I've got a feeling Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall once cooked them...possibly on 'A Cook on the Wild Side'. He and a chap were catching them in peoples gardens, and then cleansing them by feeding them nothing but lettuce for a certain amount of time before cooking them.

[zazen999]

It's possible to do anything you want to; however whether it is a good idea is another matter.

Let us know how you get on.



*Buerk

[Jeanied]

Yes I have gathered snails in the hedgerows in Haute Savoie, many years ago, put in a bucket in the shower for a day or so, fed on bran to cleanse their alimentary tract out.
Then cooked in the shell in boiling water, pulled out and rinsed - then packed back in with garlic butter and baked.
No way would I do that these days!

[Nick Blair]

Yes I have gathered snails in the hedgerows in Haute Savoie, many years ago, put in a bucket in the shower for a day or so, fed on bran to cleanse their alimentary tract out.
Then cooked in the shell in boiling water, pulled out and rinsed - then packed back in with garlic butter and baked.
No way would I do that these days!

Why not? Do you not think it was worthwhile?

[Jeanied]

Why not? Do you not think it was worthwhile?

They were fine at the time if a little rubbery for my taste. I hardly ever eat meat these days is the honest answer! Mind you I'd be tempted to do it for visitors and to get revenge!
ETA - that means revenge on the snails, not the visitors!!

[binley100]

It's possible to do anything you want to; however whether it is a good idea is another matter.

Let us know how you get on.



*Buerk

Seconded......

[iggyboy]

blimey,I know there's a recession on,but I reckon thats going too far,mate! Leave that kind of 'munch' to the french!

[Snadger]

I've toyed with the idea myself for ages but never actually got round to doing it!

This bran thing though, is bran not used to deter/kill slugs and snails?

[Jeanied]

Bran is supposed to be their preferred food, Snadger - they gorge on it till they bust! However it can be used to clean out the system too - probably in smaller quantities?

[Bren In Pots]

There seems to be huge number of them in Britain, yet we don't eat them. Why is this? Are they poisonous or do British dislike them because they are ugly and disgusting?

Nick if you fancy eating snails feel free to collect as many as you like from my garden.

[taff]

collect the big brown ones, it's not worth it for the littler ones.

[Two_Sheds]

There seems to be huge number of them in Britain, yet we don't eat them. Why is this? Are they poisonous or do British dislike them because they are ugly and disgusting?

I think you're on a windup, but in case you're not, here you go: Farming Friends Can You Eat Garden Snails?

[chris]

Thanks Nick - almost brought my breakfast up