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Escargots
The edible European Brown Snail or Brown Garden Snail (Helix asperas),
is the common garden snail or French "Escargot" which
is considered a pest in gardens and yards all over the country,
especially in California. Also known in France as the Petit Gris
or Vineyard snail, it was probably first brought to the
North American continent about 1850. Another edible snail found
in some parts of this state is the white Spanish or "milk"
snail (Otala lactea), which is preferred by many people of southern
European stock.
Snails have been used as food throughout the world for centuries,
and edible varieties are often cultivated in cages placed in door
yards, basements, and even in dwellings. Their distribution in
the United States is due to accidental introduction (e.g., escape
from cages, smuggling, and violation of agriculture laws), or
sometimes to intentional introduction by those of European
descent have used them for food---as do the Italian-Americans
in the San Francisco bay area (Bagdad by the Bay), who, for many
years, have enjoyed the local snails, "Bobaluchios".
Snails belong to the same class (Gastropoda) as the abalone, a
sea snail widely acclaimed as a specialty food along with the
gulf conch. The escargot in the United States is still generally
thought of only as a garden nuisance, even though it can be prepared
as a tasty food low in calories (about 90 calories per 100 grams
of meat), high in protein (12 to 16%), and rich in minerals.
CAUTION!Be
very careful if you are going to decide to use the snail from
your own back yard or front yard. Try to ascertain if anyone has
used snail bait for eradication of snails. SNAIL
POISON!Your neighbors could use snail poison and these
can migrate to your yard and contaminate your new found protein
source. REMEMBER!
Some snails may contain enough poison that may not be lethal to
the snail--but there may be enough residual poison that if you
consumed enough of the contaminated types it may
KILL YOU!!
For the complete Preparation Booklet: Send $7.50 US with a
Large 9" x 12", self address Stamp (1oz.) envelope to: Embarcadero
Home Cannery 2026 LIVINGSTON St. Oakland, CA 94606
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