Although often considered a French dish, Italians love their lumache (snails) just as much! And our village is no exception! In our area of Abruzzo, the little town of Scerni is known as the snail-loving village!
My husband, a snail lover himself, fits in well with these villagers. Who are known in this area as the sciumacchini or ‘snail eaters’! In fact, he looks forward to our town’s snail festivals, those few times a year when he gets to eat his fill of them.
Snail festivals!
Our snail festivals are a real community time! Most of the village attends, and because nearly everyone knows each other, it’s like a big family dinner!
But did you know that snails are gluten-free, low in fat, carbohydrates and sodium, and high in protein? And they are especially high in iron, B-12, magnesium, and potassium. So you can try them, guilt-free, if you’re brave enough!
Snails are healthy
You’re welcome to come and enjoy this healthy delicacy… along with my husband, that is! Or try fixing them at home! But be forewarned. Snails require a lot of preparation because the snails have to be purged before cooking. And to me eating them is a tedious procedure. You have to pick out those little bits of flesh with toothpicks before you can slurp them down.
I tried some once. I ate two (and only two) from Hubby’s plate, and spent the rest of the night throwing up. So, though they tasted good (going down), I say, “Never again!” Apparently, I have an intolerance, because they don’t seem to bother most people.
So I think I’ll just stick to my favorite regional dish of arrosticini served with homemade french fries! Perhaps not as healthy, but ever so good!
But if you don’t like snails or lamb, you can always choose something else. Like pasta fagioli (pasta and beans) or a sausage or pancetta sandwich! But whatever you choose I guarantee it will be good!
But don’t forget to bring your snail money first! It’s the only acceptable currency accepted at all the local festivals, here in the snail-loving village!
Have you ever eaten snails? Would you like to try them?
Photos are mine.
The whole idea of eating something so slimy where there’s so little meat and so much work–and hearing that you puked after eating them–makes this a no-brainer. I can eat lamb–just not the little crawly things. I appreciate your gutsiness in trying them!
Actually, Dayle, they weren’t slimy after cooking. And they didn’t taste bad. I think my system just didn’t like them, but Hubby loves them!!
Sorry, snails are great especially when they are baked in garlic oil and covered with cheese.
I do agree with you Geri. They ones I ate were good. They just didn’t agree with me!!
I don’t know, Dayle, a lot of people I know here love them and have no problem with them. And I do have a rather weak stomach in that regard. But you’re right community is what it’s all about. I hope that this lockdown and social distancing will make people realize how important it is, and perhaps when it’s over, people will get back to making time for others and real connections. We can surely hope so!
No and No thank you, I’ll pass.
Ha, I think you’ll be in the majority!! But I’m sure you’d enjoy our little town anyway!!