How to Eat Escargots

They are land snails, most times either Helix aspersa or Helix pomatia, the two species that are native to France. Although there are 116 different species of snails, not all of them are edible. Although a meal here, in France they are typically an appetizer.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Snails are very high in protein and low in fat when they are cooked and served without the butter sauce.
2. To eat escargot, snails are typically removed from their shell, then gutted and cooked. For preparation, you need to remove the membrane that is over the shell opening. You will need to soak them in 1/2 cup salt and water, changing the water many times in the 3- or 4-hour soak period.
3. After soaking, put in cold water and boil them for about 8 hours and drain. Then put the snails back into the cold water. Drain again. Then remove the snails from their shells with a small fork or needle.
4. Remove the entrails and cut off all black areas of the snail. They are now ready to be cooked. Cook in garlic and butter sauce and pour back into the shells with the sauce served with them. There are special tongs, as there are special devices for lobster, used to hold the shell. There are also special snail forks that are used to get the meat out of the shell.