HOW TO CLEAN SNAILS | Grandmas’ trick to remove sand from snails

The snails They are a delicacy in many parts of the world, particularly in the mediterranean cuisine and African. However, before you can enjoy this delicious dishit is essential to know how clean them properly. Snail cleaning is a meticulous process that It guarantees not only the flavor but also the safety when consuming them. In this article, we will explore the step-by-step process to clean snailsfrom purging to final washing, along with some Helpful tips to make the process easier.

Clean the snails before cooking them is crucial for several reasons:

1. Food safety: Eliminates potentially harmful bacteria and parasites.
2. Flavor improvement: Removes bitter flavors associated with debris that snails may have eaten.

3. Nice texture: Eliminates excessive mucus, which improves the texture of the cooked snails.

Before cleaning, it is important select good quality snails. Make sure that are alive; An indicator of this is that they retract into their shells when touched or exposed to light. Avoid those that are damaged or who show signs of illness or death.

How to clean snails in 4 easy steps

Step 1: Purge

Purging is the process of fasting snails to clean your intestines. This step is vital to ensure that snails do not have unwanted waste in your system. Keep the snails in a large container with a lid. for about a week. Do not feed them during this time to allow them to empty their digestive systems completely.

Step 2: Initial Cleaning

After the purge, a initial cleaning to remove most of the dirt and mucus.

1. Rinse under cold water: Place the snails under cold running water to remove any surface dirt.
2. Salt bath: Immerse the snails in a solution of cold water and coarse salt (one cup of salt for every liter of water) and leave them there for about three hours. Salt helps draw out mucus.

3. Brushed: Use a soft bristle brush to clean the shells. This helps remove any stuck-on dirt or bacteria.

Step 3: Whitening

Bleaching is a process that helps to kill bacteria and facilitates the final extraction of the snails from their shells.

1. Boil: Place the snails in a pot of boiling water and a handful of salt for a few minutes.
2. Cool: Remove the snails from the boiling water and plunge them into ice water to stop the cooking process.

Step 4: Extraction and final cleaning

Once blanched, the snails are ready to be removed from their shells and given a final cleaning.

1. Extraction: Use a skewer or small fork to Carefully remove the snails from their shells.

2. Final cleaning: Place the extracted snails in a mixture of water and vinegar (or lemon) and let them soak for an hour to remove any final traces of mucus or dirt.

3. Final rinse: Rinse the snails under cold running water.

Tips for cleaning snails

• Keep the snails in a Ventilated area during purging to avoid unpleasant odors.

• Change the water in the saline solution several times during the salt bath to maximize mucus removal.

• Make sure all utensils and surfaces are clean to avoid cross contamination.

Clean snails It is a detailed process that requires patience and attention to detail. By following these steps, you can ensure that your snails will not only be safe to eat, but also They will have the best flavor possible. Whether you are preparing them as an appetizer or as part of a more complex recipeWell-cleaned snails can provide a delicious and satisfying culinary experience.