When you think of snails, there are probably two things that come to mind: pesky garden destroyers and/or butter and garlic. Where does the butter and garlic come in, you ask? Escargot! (That’s the French word for snails, by the way.)
Snails are eaten around the world, but mostly around the Mediterranean region, mostly in France, as well as in Africa and Southeast Asia. Snails were always on the dinner table of Ancient Greek and Roman people.
Have you ever eaten snails? If so, did you like them? If not, would you ever eat them if they were put in front of you? Hey, anything in garlic and butter (and in France, parsley, too) is delicious, isn’t it? You won’t even know…
First had them back in the 80’s when I took my girlfriend to a real ‘adult’ dinner – we went to Steak and Ale (flashback, flashback, flashback…). Had them again a few times in the 90’s during port visits in France, but not in the last 25 years. They’re good, with lots of butter and garlic.
That said, I don’t like raw oysters, but fried are good.
Sure, well as a kid I ate a slug on a dare (that should count). I was 12 at the time. As an adult I’ve (knowingly) eaten snails. You just gotta get past the idea that they are (were) slimy.
Have you ever eaten Bear, mountain goat, or seal? or eskimo ice cream?
How about muktuk? I remember my dad telling me about having that when he was stationed at Pt. Barrow, Alaska, as a Seabee in the ’40s. Have a good evening, Dean. 😀 –Diane
Really delicious experience on our Princess Alaska cruise. My grandson and I ordered one appetizer to share because we had never eaten any and guessed this would be a good opportunity. We were going to flip a coin deciding who had to go first but decided to go simultaneously. Surprisingly delicious! By the time we had savored that single order our waiter came with a second one because he could not help hearing us trying to convince the others at our table to try them!
I tried them once on a cruise. The garlic sauce and bread served with them were delicious! The snails were REALLY rubbery and minimal taste. I will say they didn’t settle well with my stomach as I was up at 3 am un-eating them which led to a miserable day in San Juan the next day…
Once. Excellent restaurant. They were rubbery to me with no real taste. However, I loved the garlic sauce they came in and used French bread to sop it up. Whenever I was with someone that liked them, I would encourage them to order so I could have the sauce😬.
When I was in the military in the late ’70s, we had escargot every Sunday morning at the NCO club on base. We always washed them down with a bottle of German wine. They were delicious.
Had some in a French restaurant in DC. My friend wouldn’t touch them. Next night we ate in a Spanish restaurant that shared the kitchen. He ordered popcorn shrimp and loved them — they were cooked in the same garlic sauce (and tasted the same).
I haven’t, and don’t want to but never say never. Might be the BEST experience in your life.
My brother in law ordered a dozen oysters . I gagged first bite. He had to eat the rest. Uncooked food doesn’t set well with me.
Snails are NOT eaten raw if that is a concern. 🙂
Being Italian I was raised on them and love them.
I’ll try anything once. The first time I had them was in France and loved them. Every time we go to Europe I look for them on the menu. Try to find them in the states is near impossible however I did get them a few times in New Orleans, guess it’s the French connection.
An authentic Italian restaurant will have them.
Good one
Yep, sautéed in butter and garlic. First tasted them whilst stationed in Germany in the mid 80’s. Loved them unfortunately have not been able to find them on many menus in the states let alone in a grocery store to cook myself, but when I do I eat.
we only live once! and what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger (but you might WISH you were dead in the process…) and finally, we are all gonna die someday, might as well be doing something interesting…
There are very few foods I wouldn’t try.. compared to Balut is on the other side of that line.
Like abalone, snails have almost no flavor and need to be prepared with lots of butter and garlic, which is not a bad thing. Serve with crusty artisan bread and a glass of wine, delish.
We were served some at a restaurant in Jakarta. I just couldn’t do it! My husband and younger daughter both tried one. My older daughter and I aren’t quite as adventurous when it comes to squishy looking food.
We were at a big company dinner and they ordered every appetizer on menu. My husband tried them and kept telling me I need to try them. I was adamant that I was not going to. So they saved one. So finally I tried one. Loved it. Sad I did not try sooner. Some places fix them better than others but not at all what I expected.
I’ve never been that hungry, if I was starving I would. Have you ever ate mountain oysters, some think that’s gross, but I’ve ate them.
Rocky Mtn oysters are delicious.
Yes, and they are delicious if properly prepared. I look for them on menus in Eroupean restaurants.
Once! When stationed in Spain. When you are overseas and a guest in someone’s home, you politely eat what is served.
Paris France. I can say I tried it but wouldn’t revisit the experience.