How can you tell if a snail is fresh, meaty, and not smelly? The secret lies in observing its shell, testing its reflexes, and some simple folk tricks. Here are some tips for you to consider:
Why not buy snails at the beginning and end of the lunar month?
According to folk experience, the beginning and end of the lunar month are not ideal times to buy snails. This is because snails enter their reproductive cycle during these periods. As a result, they tend to be skinny, with less meat, and some may even contain eggs, affecting the quality of the dish.
In addition to having less meat, snails during their reproductive period also tend to have a blander taste. This is because their energy and nutrition are focused on reproduction, making the meat less firm and not as fatty as when they are mature. Especially, if you accidentally buy snail eggs, you will spend a lot of time processing them, and the quality is not guaranteed.
Therefore, to choose meaty, fatty, and tasty snails, it is best to buy them in the middle of the lunar month (around the 6th to the 20th). This is when snails have accumulated enough nutrition, and their meat is fuller. When cooked, they will have a natural crispness and sweetness.
However, in addition to timing, you should also combine other methods of choosing snails, such as checking their shells, observing their snail “eyebrows,” and testing their freshness to ensure the best quality.
Test by touching the snail’s “eyebrow”
One of the simplest ways to check the freshness of a snail is to gently touch its “eyebrow” (the small lid at the snail’s mouth). If the “eyebrow” retracts slightly, it indicates that the snail is still alive and fresh. On the other hand, if the “eyebrow” does not react, the snail may be dead or weak, and it is best not to buy it.
Observe the snail’s “eyebrow” closely
The snail’s “eyebrow” not only helps determine if it is alive but also indicates its fat content:
If the “eyebrow” is close to the snail’s mouth, it means the snail is fatty and meaty, and it will taste better when cooked.
If the “eyebrow” is recessed, it means the snail is skinny and has less meat, and it won’t taste as good.
If the “eyebrow” is recessed and has an unpleasant odor, the snail is likely dead or has been left too long and should not be consumed.
Test freshness by dropping them into water
In addition to observation, you can also test the freshness of snails by using water. Drop the snails into a clean bucket of water and observe:
Live snails will sink to the bottom or crawl slowly.
Dead snails will float to the surface, with their mouths facing downward, and emit an unpleasant odor.
Additionally, you can soak the snails in rice water or chili water to test their cleanliness and help them expel any remaining mud or dirt before cooking.
Note: When choosing snails, select those of moderate size, neither too big nor too small. Larger snails tend to be older and have tougher meat, while smaller snails may have less meat and not taste as good.
With these tips, you can easily choose fresh and delicious snails to prepare mouth-watering dishes such as boiled snails, snail with tamarind sauce, or snail steamed with lemongrass and chili… adding a hearty and flavorful touch to your meal.
How to prevent snails from getting skinny if not cooked immediately
After purchasing snails, they need to be cleaned thoroughly to remove any remaining dirt or mud. First, rinse them a few times with water to remove the outer layer of dirt, then soak them in a bucket of water, ensuring they are completely submerged. If possible, use rice water instead of plain water, as it helps clean the snails more effectively.
To speed up the process of expelling mud and dirt, you can add a few slices of fresh chili to the water. The spiciness of the chili will stimulate the snails to open their mouths frequently, thus pushing out any remaining dirt or mud.
Typically, snails should be soaked for 8-10 hours or overnight to ensure they are thoroughly cleaned. However, soaking them for too long can cause them to become skinny, affecting their taste when cooked. To counter this, you can crack 1-2 eggs into the soaking water, as the eggs will provide the snails with additional nutrition, preventing them from losing meat.
Note: Change the water every 3 hours to ensure optimal cleanliness. With this method, you only need to soak the snails from morning to night before cooking.
Check out this video of NSND Lan Huong boiling snails and making delicious cold snail noodles.
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