# I have a can of snails. Now what? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 6, 2004, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-can-of-snails-now-what/238533 "2004-04-06T13:10:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-can-of-snails-now-what/238533/21 "2004-04-06T19:03:16Z")
> [@don't ask](#): > > That’s not fair, I obviously mean your favourite rock. How do I know if you refer igneous or sedimentary? > > Perhaps I could interest some of you folks in quality control testing for my new business. I am going to turn strips of used tires (Goodyear I imagine) into faux snails, they will have a similar texture but will be slightly tastier. That’s a great idea. And don’t forget the name! Following the logic of calling fake crab “krab”, you should call your new product “Snales™”! ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-can-of-snails-now-what/238533/22 "2004-04-06T19:26:29Z")
> [@JuanitaTech](#): > > Not family-sized-string-beans big but crushed-tomatoes big. > > Suggestions? If you want those puppies to feed more people, you could mix them fifty-fifty with strips of portobello mushroom. Best thing to is what was first suggested by **romansperson** - butter and garlic (plus big napkin) There are about 20 recipes on this fun [page](http://www.hertzmann.com/articles/2004/snails/) - including one involving custard :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-can-of-snails-now-what/238533/23 "2004-04-06T19:35:20Z")
> [@Ponder Stibbons](#): > > That’s a great idea. And don’t forget the name! Following the logic of calling fake crab “krab”, you should call your new product “Snales™”! I’m almost embarrassed to point out something this obvious, but a business that makes edible snails out of what used to be automobile tires can only have one name: Ex-Car-Go. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Tusculan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecd19e/32.png) [@Tusculan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tusculan)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-can-of-snails-now-what/238533/24 "2004-04-06T19:37:23Z")
So, do you guys also have recipes for a can of worms? ---
**Author:** ![DeVena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dec6dc/32.png) [@DeVena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeVena)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-can-of-snails-now-what/238533/25 "2004-04-06T19:40:18Z")
> [@romansperson](#): > > Drain the escargot without drying them and put them on the pikes. Is it just me or does this sound like a variation on medieval torture?? ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-can-of-snails-now-what/238533/26 "2004-04-06T22:07:39Z")
> [@Tusculan](#): > > So, do you guys also have recipes for a can of worms? [What kind of weirdos](http://www.ent.iastate.edu/misc/insectsasfood.html) would have those? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-can-of-snails-now-what/238533/27 "2004-04-06T22:19:33Z")
> [@Tusculan](#): > > So, do you guys also have recipes for a can of worms? Zarela Martinez, in her fabulous book on Mexican cooking, _Food From My Heart: The Cuisine of Mexico_, has a recipe for a sauce based on Maguey worms. I’ve always wanted to try it, I just don’t know where to find Maguey worms. And snails _are_ yummy… ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-can-of-snails-now-what/238533/28 "2004-04-06T22:37:32Z")
Are canned snails nice to eat? I do like the odd snail in garlic butter, but wouldn’t want to mess about with the fresh free roaming variety in my garden. Are they one of those meats that are good canned, or does canning make them less pallatable? The difference between a can of snails and a can of worms, is the same as the difference between crunchy and smoothe peanut butter. ---
**Author:** ![International\_Playboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/48db29/32.png) [@International\_Playboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/International_Playboy)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2004, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-can-of-snails-now-what/238533/29 "2004-04-07T02:15:47Z")
Don’t forget your nose pincher, as demonstrated in an episode of “I Love Lucy.” 😃 Actually, I’d like to try snails some time. ---
**Author:** ![jellyblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e480ec/32.png) [@jellyblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jellyblue)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2004, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-can-of-snails-now-what/238533/30 "2004-04-07T02:36:23Z")
If it were me, I’d wrap the can in decorative paper and use it for a doorstop. There is no way I’d eat this item in any form whatsoever. You could also keep it handy to throw in the general direction of would-be intruders. Good luck with the little (canned) critters… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![dwyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwyr/32/363_2.png) [@dwyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwyr)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2004, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-can-of-snails-now-what/238533/31 "2004-04-07T02:43:48Z")
> [@Left Hand of Dorkness](#): > > Now that there’s actually a recipe in the thread, I’ll chime in: what’s the appeal? I’ve twice had escargot, once as a wee lad at Epcot (I was a ballsy wee lad), and once, recently, at a pretentious local wine-tasting restaurant. They weren’t hideous either time, never reached oysterlike levels of gross, but nor were they really appealing. > > Is it the texture that folks like? Or do people just feel guilty about eating garlic bread, and eat the garlic butter on cephalopods instead? Or is there actually some flavor to well-made escargot beyond butter and garlic? > > Daniel The escargot that I tried at a lovely little place out in the country were quite tasty. Supposedly they’d been fed basil. They did taste pleasantly of basil and something else which I guess is snail. I liked the texture too-not too chewy like squid can be, just nice. I like them. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2004, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-can-of-snails-now-what/238533/32 "2004-04-07T03:36:28Z")
It’s nice to know I’m not the only person in possession of a can of snails. I brought it back from Paris last year, and think I’ll probably eventually make an escargot omelet (very low-carb). Whatever I don’t eat, I can always use as kneaded erasers. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2004, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-can-of-snails-now-what/238533/33 "2004-04-07T03:38:17Z")
> [@JuanitaTech](#): > > I’ve come into a can of snails. Does this have anything to do with the semen-as-fish-food thread? ---
**Author:** ![teleute12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@teleute12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teleute12)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2004, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-can-of-snails-now-what/238533/34 "2004-04-07T04:29:02Z")
That’s easy. Snail chowder! ---
**Author:** ![teleute12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@teleute12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teleute12)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2004, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-can-of-snails-now-what/238533/35 "2004-04-07T04:30:49Z")
Oops, forgot to add: Are you sure it’s a can of snails, and not slugs? I’ve seen the cans of slugs before - they’re a gag item. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2004, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-can-of-snails-now-what/238533/36 "2004-04-07T05:21:42Z")
> [@International Playboy](#): > > Actually, I’d like to try snails some time. They’re not bad at all and, in fact, have quite a delicate flavor. They don’t taste as gross or slimy or pungent as you might expect. When I’ve had them, the flavors I can taste are predominately butter & garlic from the sauce. Their texture is not unlike mushrooms, but perhaps slightly firmer. ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2004, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-can-of-snails-now-what/238533/37 "2004-04-07T15:21:08Z")
Is it possible to get Kosher snails? I wonder, because I find them similar to mussels which are absolutely non-kosher (being sea invertibrates). Snails are far less distressing to look at than mussels (I think mussels look like special effect items from an Aliens movie) and not subject to the sandyness that can effect mussels. Again I’ll ask, are tinned snails a reasonable substitute for fresh snails? ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2004, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-can-of-snails-now-what/238533/38 "2004-04-07T17:05:49Z")
> [@Left Hand of Dorkness](#): > > I’m almost embarrassed to point out something this obvious, but a business that makes edible snails out of what used to be automobile tires can only have one name: Ex-Car-Go. This post alone made this thread worthwhile to me! ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2004, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-can-of-snails-now-what/238533/39 "2004-04-07T17:13:40Z")
I’ve only had them sauteed in garlic and butter and that was good enough for me. Served with a dry white wine and some crunchy bread with real butter - let’s eat. A Spanish friend of mine was given a can of squid in its own ink as a gift at a Burns Night Dinner. How you prepare squid in its own ink (or why you’d eat it) is beyond me. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2004, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-can-of-snails-now-what/238533/40 "2004-04-07T17:17:55Z")
> [@Bippy the Beardless](#): > > Is it possible to get Kosher snails? > > Again I’ll ask, are tinned snails a reasonable substitute for fresh snails? No and yes [Snails are not kosher](http://www.cyber-kitchen.com/rfcj/kosherfaq.htm) > [@](#): > > Most insects and other “creepy crawlies” are prohibited. Snails are, therefore, unkosher, and certain food additives or colorings made from insects are unkosher. And IMHO canned snails are perfectly OK, though not as good as a really goos fresh ones. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-can-of-snails-now-what/238533.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-can-of-snails-now-what/238533.md?page=3)