Escargot
Photo: flickr user Ruth L
About
Escargot is a French dish of cooked land snails. The word escargot is also sometimes applied to the living snails of those species which are commonly eaten.
Information
Other names: Snails
Translations: Σαλιγκάρια, قوقعة, Šnečí, エスカルゴ, 'Escargot, Schnecke, Šnečí, אסקרגו, Улитки, Равлики, 田螺, Есцаргот, Аспержи
Physical Description
Escargot bears a suprising resemblance in taste and appearance to mushrooms.
Colors: greyish, but it varies
Tasting Notes
Flavors: mushroom
Mouthfeel: Slimy, Slippery, Chewy
Food complements: Bread, Cheese
Wine complements: Bourdeaux
Beverage complements: Cidre, A french alcoholic apple drink
Selecting and Buying
Seasonality: january, february, march, april, may, june, july, august, september, opctober, november, december
Peak: june, july, august
Choosing: Go to a nice restaurant or a streetside cart in France or Belgium for the very best.
Buying: Do not buy expired escargot. Ask a grocery store worker for extra assistance when choosing if it is your first time.
Procuring: Do not hunt for your own escargot, as they are found in the wild and finding a good sample requires more expertise than this description can provide.
Preparation and Use
Remove escargot after killing. Find recipe online. Add special seasoning and cook carefully.
Cleaning: Use a knife, soap and water. Rinse thoroughly
Conserving and Storing
REfridgerate until eating. Freeze if for longer period of time.