Snail Farm anyone??

Mirtos

Yiasou Chubber. I'm from Crete myself, although the other end to Chania. I don't hold with that breaking the shell malarky, as i always end up with shell chippings in my dinner! I just hook them out of the big hole with a cocktail stick or fork - for those that are a bit difficult, i pierce the pointy end first to break the vacum inside the shell.

**purplemoon**

I can't believe we've just been out hunting snails in our garden (best time after dark when it's damp) and found about 20 in just 10 mins! I've put them in a tub for now till we decide what to do with them despite OH thinking I've finally lost the plot :rotfl: but feel somewhat guilty of robbing food from the poor hedgehogs and thrushes in our garden

cathybird

hugh fearnley whittingstall talks in the river cottage cookbook (I think) about catching garden snails, keeping them off food for a few days and then cooking them. In fact I think G Ramsay may have nicked the idea from him I suspect

cathybird

by the way purplemoon if you found 20 snails in 10 minutes sounds like there are loads out there! plenty more for the thrushes and hedgehogs ...

Chipps

I have read this thread with interest. It's good to know you can eat ordinary snails; if ever I am in desperate straits & near starvation maybe it's worth thinking about!!!! But as I don't much like whelks or mussels etc (it's the texture) they probably won't become part of our everyday diet. Mind you, the Stifado recipe sounds nicer than the french garlic buttery version......

Mirtos

Chipps, You can do the stifado recipe with chunks of beef instead of snails if you fancy it - It works EXACTLY the same. Octopus also works well, just tenderise it in boiling water before chopping it into chunks and whacking it in the pan.x

zombiecazz

finally got a load of snails and I mean a load at least 50 of them.
Big thank you to the free cycler who collected them for me.
They've all had a bath and are now all tucked up with their water and oats.

zombiecazz

Had my first snail meal last night.
Followed instructions from web about putting snails into boiling water for 3 minutes and then taking them out of their shells then cooking them slowly in courte boullion (rich stock made with water, wine, vegetables and herbs). Once cooked they can be frozen or use like this:
I made traditional snails. The ones in their shells with lashings of garlic butter. Very nice, tasty and a slight cruch due to the roasting in garlic butter.
I also made a dish of snails sauted with finely chopped garlic and onion, mushroom quarters and aubergine cubes. Throw in a glass of white wine and allow to reduce, then finshed off with a little brandy and some butter. This was totally delicious.
Both my mum and OH were pleasantly surprised.

Sarahsaver

You can make a 'snailery' if you don't want to eat them. You put snails in an old laundry basket or some such container, in a moat of water (like a large bowl, old tyre...) so they cant escape. THey eat rubbish, like biodegradable stuff, and make a slurry which you collect at the bottom and use on the garden:)

COOLTRIKERCHICK

i am reading this thread with interest... well will £££$$$$ signs in front of my eyes really... as a while back i saw country file and there was a guy who made a living from breeding snails for the table....sold them to high class resterants etc... also done day causes on how to become a snail farmer... charged loads of money for that...

i have giant african land snails... big huge snails.... and i have had a baby boom....does anyone know how much you can get paid for them in resteraunts ? ...this could an os side line.....

i dont think i could eat them though...especially brian....( named after the magic roundabout):eek: