Escargots are considered one of the most famous French dishes of all time. If you’re not familiar with the name like most people- it is a dish with edible snails. Snails are very popular in France, and we are all aware of the diversity of French cuisines.
If you want to experience a different taste, French cuisines are the right option for you. Some people compare Escargots with mushrooms as they are chewy, while others compare them with mussels because of their appearance and taste.
It wouldn’t be wrong to say Escargots have a unique taste that is more closely related to mussels because of their gelatin-like texture. Escargots are sauteed with butter and garlic to add more flavor. For some people, they can be a bit chewy, depending on how they like the texture.
What is Escargot
Escargot snails are like common land snails. They look like normal snails but have a rich texture and come in a variety of flavors. Unfortunately, most restaurants apart from French restaurants don’t offer this dish because it needs professional cooking skills.
‘Escargots’ is a French word that means ‘Snails used in a dish.’ It’s a common dish popular in Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and France. People try Escargots because of their unique taste.
Escargots mainly belong to the family of Helicid snails. The most common Escargots are Helix Pomatia, Helix Aspersa, and Helix Lucorum. This variety of edible snails are found in different parts of Europe.
They live in the wild environment in Eastern French. They are harvested in the Early winters and fall season when they struggle with the cold environment and are looking for a home.
How to store Escargots
To store Escargots, don’t put them in a metal container. You can also refrigerate them in an airtight plastic container or a zipper bag. Refrigerated Escargots can last up to 3 to 4 days.
If you’re planning to store them for more than 3 to 4 days, tightly wrap escargots in a plastic bag, and freeze them. The frozen food kept at 0 degrees will help to preserve its freshness. The frozen Escargots can last for 3-4 months.
How do you know if Escargots have gone bad
You can tell escargots have gone bad by their smell. If they smell different than usual, it is advised to throw them away immediately.
It’s important to check if escargots are infected with parasites before cooking. Rotten escargots can lead to food poisoning.
Dishes with Escargots
Several dishes that you can try with Escargots are:
- Escargots Bourguignonne: It’s a traditional French dish. Escargots are baked with garlic and butter.
- Lumache Alla Romana: It’s an Italian dish where Escargots are streamed in a tomato sauce.
- Corgolade: This dish is prepared with snails cooked in their shell. They are stuffed with garlic, parsley, and seasonings of your preference.
- Caracoles ala Andaluza: It’s a Spanish dish where snails are tossed in a sauce with tomatoes, garlic, parsley, and white wine.
- Caragols a la llauna: It’s a traditional Spanish dish made with grilling snails served with mayonnaise and garlic sauce.
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