edible snails

[baldrick]

I probably wont get a reply as you will all think Im mad but does anyone have experience or info on keeping edible snails? Fancy growing some esgargots but info on t'interweb is sketchy. I know native molluscs carry lungworm for example. Wasnt sure which forum to go on either........

[DGoulston]

I remember seeing something on TV on of the morning program's about it one time, you have to feed them healthy stuff and starve them for a certain amount of time before eating them, to get all the nasty stuff out.

but otherwise not sure.

[rustylady]

I really don't fancy eating snails!!

[cardiffsteve]

You stop feeding with dry food for a few days and only give them water.
Then cook!

Welcome to the home of edible snails in Kent


( i am not affiliated with them in any way.)

[Two_Sheds]

Why would you want to keep them? If it's for income, make sure there's a market first.

My friend's dad did it years ago, never made a bean, and horrible stinky things they were too.

Here's a how to, to get you started

[dave_norm_smith]

Mmmmmmmmm snails and garlic butter! I thought about after watching Hugh once but I think they need cooking for hours and hours, so basically couldn't be bothered!

The Spanish use them a lot in Paella's, not so much of the fish as we tend to use.

[taff]

the big brown garden snails are edible, purge them over a few days with lettuce, cook and eat
Eating Garden Snails: COLLECTING & PREPARING SNAILS

that's just the eating not the keeping though sorry....

[veggiechicken]

Interesting topic! For all those of you with small gardens or even balconies - why not have a snail smallholding! They are on special offer at the moment so, if you're stuck for a Festive present, give somebody you love a snail of their own. Imagine trying to name them? Susan, Sally, Sinbad, Stephen......

[Nicos]

We have the occasional one or two wandering around in our garden.
Never fancied preparing them myself.
I have heard that after starving them you feed them carrots and then when their 'droppings' come out orange you know you've cleared out all the grotty stuff.
Apparently most snails are edible.

[Snadger]

There was a documetary on the telly a while ago following the ups and downs of a Welsh guy who wanted to buy land in France to start a snail farm?
Must of missed the final episode of what appeared to be a comedy of errors, and never did find out whether he made a go of it?

As TS has mentioned, you need to have a ready market if you have millions of snails ready at the same time.

[cardiffsteve]

Would you have to shell out a lot for snails?
Would business run at a snails pace?
Would you use email or snail mail?

Sorry I'll get my coat!

[veggiechicken]

Would you have to shell out a lot for snails?
Would business run at a snails pace?
Would you use email or snail mail?

Sorry I'll get my coat!

I'd rather have a hammer than a snail.... Yes I would, I surely would...

[rustylady]

Middle daughter had a couple of Giant African Snails in a vivarium, gave birth to son who had problems so mum and baby were in hospital for about 4 weeks. Dad was in charge of other kids (well, I had the kids) and the house and the snails. Upshot is, he didn't bother cleaning out the snail house, just chucked food in. When daughter got home she found about 100 baby snails

[veggiechicken]

Middle daughter had a couple of Giant African Snails in a vivarium, gave birth to son who had problems so mum and baby were in hospital for about 4 weeks. Dad was in charge of other kids (well, I had the kids) and the house and the snails. Upshot is, he didn't bother cleaning out the snail house, just chucked food in. When daughter got home she found about 100 baby snails

Just Goggled Giant African snails and found that they are also edible. Your daughter could have fed half of London with those! And if you're squeamish, don't look at the video of how to prepare them
Cooking African land snails | Life and style | guardian.co.uk
Don't know why I looked really - as a Veggie.

[Two_Sheds]

you need to have a ready market if you have millions of snails ready at the same time

Yeah, you couldn't just "release them in the wild" could you? You wouldn't, would you?