Leslie Massey
Snails are a common sight in Australian gardens, but are they also a common dish? The Garden Snail was introduced to Australia from Europe and has been a part of the ecosystem for over 100 years. They are commercially raised in Australia and exported to countries like France, where they are considered a delicacy known as 'escargot'. But what about in Australia itself? Do Australians eat stuffed snails, or is this practice considered unusual? Some Australians do eat snails, but it is not a widespread practice. Those who do consume snails often source them from their own gardens, but this is not recommended due to the potential for pesticide contamination. Preparing snails for consumption involves a process of strict dieting and cooking methods that give new meaning to the term slow cooking.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Snail species in Australia | Over 1000 species of native snails and slugs |
| Common garden snail | Introduced to Australia from Europe over 100 years ago |
| Garden snail consumption in Australia | Some people eat stuffed snails in Australia |
| Garden snail as food | The garden snail is edible and commercially raised in Australia |
| Garden snail export | Exported to countries like France where it is eaten as 'escargot' |
| Garden snail taste | Tasteless, taking on the flavour of what it is cooked in |
| Garden snail preparation | Purging and boiling |
| Garden snail health risks | Can carry rat lungworm and other toxins |
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What You'll Learn
- Garden snails are edible in Australia and are exported to countries like France
- Snails can be purged of toxins by putting them on a diet of vegetables
- Snails can carry harmful parasites like rat lungworm, which can be transmitted to humans and animals
- Snails are considered pests by gardeners as they eat vegetables and plants
- Snails are an important food source for crows, ravens, and blue-tongue lizards
Garden snails are edible in Australia and are exported to countries like France
Garden snails are, in fact, edible in Australia. While some may find the idea of eating these slimy gastropods unappealing, others, like Sarah Hatherall-Ward, a food forager, have been known to indulge in this unique delicacy. Hatherall-Ward, who moved to Australia from England, shared her process of preparing garden snails for consumption. She puts them on a diet of lettuce, carrots, and other vegetables for five days, followed by a two-day fast to rid their bodies of toxins. She then cooks them with various spices, butter, garlic, and chilli.
While it may be safe to consume garden snails, it is important to exercise caution. According to Perth-based nutritionist and dietician Julie Meek, snails may ingest pesticides and poisons from the garden. Even after purging them, their meat might still contain traces of these harmful substances. Therefore, it is not recommended to pluck snails directly from your garden for consumption.
In Australia, the common garden snail (Cantareus aspersus) has been present for over a century. They were likely introduced accidentally, arriving on potted plants or stuck to packing materials. Due to the lack of natural predators and their ability to thrive in gardens, ponds, and even the ocean, their population has flourished.
Australia is not among the top exporters of snails to France in 2023. The largest exporters of snails to France that year were the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Romania, Serbia, and Turkey. However, it is worth noting that the data may not include all exporters, and there may be a small volume of snail exports from Australia that are not significant enough to be listed.
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Snails can be purged of toxins by putting them on a diet of vegetables
In Australia, the common garden snail (Cantareus aspersus) was introduced from Europe and has been living there for over a century. While it is edible and commercially raised in the country, it is exported to other nations like France for consumption as 'escargot'.
If you are considering eating snails, it is important to remember that they can carry harmful toxins and pesticides from the environment. To safely consume snails, it is recommended to put them on a diet of vegetables and then starve them to purge their systems.
Sarah Hatherall-Ward, a food forager, has been known to eat snails from her garden in Australia. She prepares the snails by putting them on a "strict diet" of lettuce, carrots, and other vegetables for five days. This step is crucial to ensuring the snails only consume safe and healthy food. After the vegetable diet, she starves" the snails for two days to purge any remaining toxins from their systems.
The starvation phase is essential for purging snails of toxic material. During this period, snails expel any undigested food, including dirt, fecal matter, and potentially harmful plants from their digestive tract. The recommended duration for the starvation phase varies, with some sources suggesting two days, while others recommending seven to ten days.
While the vegetable diet and starvation phase are important steps in purging snails of toxins, it is worth noting that even after these processes, traces of pesticides may still remain in the snail's meat. Therefore, it is crucial to handle the snails with care, cook them thoroughly, and be aware of potential health risks associated with snail consumption.
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Snails can carry harmful parasites like rat lungworm, which can be transmitted to humans and animals
While snails are eaten in Australia, it is important to be aware of the potential health risks associated with consuming them. Snails can carry harmful parasites, such as the rat lungworm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis), which can have serious consequences for both humans and animals.
Rat lungworm, or Angiostrongyliasis, is a parasitic nematode (roundworm parasite) that primarily affects rodents. Infected rats pass the larvae of the parasite through their faeces, which can then be ingested by snails, slugs, and other intermediate hosts. These intermediate hosts, including snails, can then transmit the parasite to humans if they are consumed raw or undercooked. The consumption of infected, undercooked, or raw snails is a common mode of transmission to humans.
The adult form of the parasite is only found in rodents, and the life cycle is completed when rats consume infected snails or slugs. While the parasite does not mature into its adult form in snails, the larvae can still cause significant harm to humans. Rat lungworm disease can affect the brain and spinal cord, causing eosinophilic meningitis, and has been reported in regions such as Southeast Asia and tropical Pacific islands.
To reduce the risk of infection, it is crucial to avoid eating raw or undercooked snails, slugs, or other potential intermediate hosts. Additionally, proper handling and hygiene practices are important, such as wearing gloves and thoroughly washing hands and fresh produce. Eliminating snails, slugs, and rats from areas near human residences can also help reduce exposure to the parasite.
In Australia, the common garden snail (Cantareus aspersus) has been introduced from Europe and is commercially raised for export to countries like France, where it is a delicacy known as 'escargot'. While some people in Australia may choose to consume snails from their gardens, it is important to be aware of the potential risks associated with pesticide and poison consumption by these snails. Proper preparation and cooking methods are crucial to minimize any potential harm.
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Snails are considered pests by gardeners as they eat vegetables and plants
Snails are a common garden pest in Australia, with the introduced common garden snail (Cantareus aspersus/Cornu aspersum) being the most prevalent. This species has been in Australia for over a century, and its population has exploded due to the lack of natural predators. While they play a role in decomposing organic matter, they are a nuisance to gardeners as they feed on vegetables and plants.
Garden snails have a soft body protected by a hard shell and a long, muscular foot that enables them to climb and move across surfaces. They are attracted to moist environments and tend to feed at night or after rainfall. Their diet includes a variety of vegetables, ornamental plants, and young plant growth in the spring. They create distinctive ragged, circular bite holes in leaves and stems with their rasping tongues, which are lined with tiny 'teeth'.
To protect their plants, gardeners employ various methods to control and deter snails. These include traps, barriers, and pesticides. Beer traps, for example, lure snails with the scent of beer, causing them to fall into a glass or bowl and drown. Surrounding vulnerable plants with barriers like copper mesh, copper slug tape, diatomaceous earth, or crushed eggshells can also be effective, as snails will not crawl over copper.
Additionally, maintaining good air circulation by spacing out plants and removing potential hiding places can help deter snails. Watering plants in the morning allows them to dry before evening, making the environment less favourable for snails. While complete eradication of snails from a garden is unlikely, these methods can help control their numbers and minimise the damage they inflict on precious plants.
Although some people in Australia do eat snails, it is not a widespread practice. Those who do consume snails may opt for commercially raised ones or catch them from their gardens. However, dieticians advise against eating snails directly from gardens due to the potential for pesticide consumption.
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Snails are an important food source for crows, ravens, and blue-tongue lizards
Blue-tongue lizards, on the other hand, have large teeth and strong jaw muscles that enable them to crush snail shells. They are usually found in open country with lots of ground cover, such as tussocky grasses or leaf litter, and they emerge during the warmer parts of the day to forage for food. They can be found in gardens, where snails are plentiful, and they help to keep the snail population under control.
In Australia, the common garden snail has lived for over 100 years, and the lack of natural predators has caused their numbers to explode. The use of snail pellets has also made many potential predators learn to avoid eating them. However, snails are an important food source for these animals, so it is recommended to think twice before reaching for the snail pellets.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, some people in Australia eat snails. The garden snail was introduced to Australia from Europe and is commercially raised in the country. They are exported to countries like France, where they are eaten as 'escargot'.
It is not recommended to eat snails straight from the garden as they may contain pesticides and poisons. Some people put the snails on a diet of lettuce, carrots, and other vegetables for five days, then "starve" them for two days to purge them of toxins.
After purging, the snails are cooked in a variety of spices, butter, garlic, and chilli.
Snails can carry the rat lungworm parasite, which can cause neural angiostrongyliasis in humans. This disease is transmitted when people eat raw or undercooked snails or slugs, or even put snails in their mouths.
