The Rock Snail, a unique land snail, is a rare delicacy found only in the Ba Den Mountains. Unlike common freshwater or sea snails, these snails live in treacherous, damp crevices in the mountains and only emerge when it rains. Thus, they are considered a gift from heaven, a delicacy unique to this region.
The Rock Snail is a gift from nature to the locals of Tay Ninh
These snails typically crawl out of their hiding places early in the morning or when the sky turns grey, signaling the arrival of rain. Their favorite food is the region’s natural herbal plants, such as ma tien, la vong nui, and la Nang Hai. This rare and exotic diet gives the snails a unique flavor.
Rock Snails have a small, spiral-shaped shell with multiple whorls, and their bodies are flat and coin-like. The shell is brown-black, similar to the color of decaying leaves, making them difficult to spot. Despite their small size, their meat is plentiful, chewy, and sweet with a hint of herbal medicine, a natural fragrance that leaves a lasting impression on those who taste it.
The snails’ diet of forest leaves gives them a distinctive herbal flavor
The meat of these snails is high in protein, low in fat, and highly nutritious. For those who appreciate delicious and healthy food, the Rock Snail of Tay Ninh is an ideal choice.
Rock Snails have a unique breeding cycle, reproducing only at the beginning of spring, especially during the first lunar month when the first seasonal rains arrive. This is when snail hunters begin their journey to find these elusive creatures, usually setting out at 6 pm when the snails leave their hiding places in search of food.
Catching these snails is no easy task as they camouflage well in the rock crevices, blending in with the color of the soil and dry leaves. Hunters must be patient, knowledgeable about the terrain, and have sharp eyes to find them. Some nights, they may only collect a few hundred grams, but the price is high, ranging from 150,000 to 200,000 VND per kg, due to their rarity and the effort required to find them.
Rainy days are when the Rock Snails come out, and the locals head out to hunt them
Once caught, the snails are cleaned and immediately prepared to preserve their natural flavor and medicinal properties. Rock Snails can be cooked in various ways, including steaming with lemongrass and ginger, sour stew, garlic stir-fry, or grilled. Each cooking method enhances the sweetness and chewy texture of the meat.
Not only are they loved by locals, but Rock Snails have also gained popularity in Ho Chi Minh City and other provinces, with restaurants featuring them as a specialty, attracting food enthusiasts seeking unique culinary experiences.
The Midnight Harvest: A Delicate Delicacy Illuminated.
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