National Escargot Day is observed annually on May 24 to honour the delectable French appetiser. In France, snails are commonly consumed and are referred to by the French term ‘escargot.’ They are prepared with butter and garlic and served in their shell at an exorbitant price. The French consume a great deal of snails annually.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL ESCARGOT DAY
Nobody knows who launched this day or when it began. However, there can never be too many celebratory culinary days, right? National Escargot Day honours the delectable edible mollusk known as ‘escargot’ in France. The origins of this dish date back to the time of the ancient Romans, as indicated by archaeological evidence of its consumption. It is believed that the Romans fed snails wine and barley to make them more appetising, and they considered this a dish suitable for emperors.
However, not all species of snails are edible, and many are too small to be cooked and ingested. There are also additional considerations, such as the flavour of various species. Helix pomatia is the most consumed species in France. Escargot is not consumed worldwide, but in certain countries such as France, Spain, and Portugal, it is a popular entrée.
This gastropod is grilled and served in its shell. A metal pick is used to remove the flesh from the shell in order to consume it. In France, these snails are also available in cans, along with a carton of empty snails and serving dishes with dimples. Incredibly, edible snails are quite nutritious due to their high protein content, low lipid content, and abundance of potassium, vitamin E, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, and selenium.
Over the years, this dish has become increasingly popular, with edible snails attaining enormous sales, so it is not surprising that this day is celebrated with great enthusiasm.
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Five ESCARGOT facts that will blow your mind
Heliculture is the discipline of cultivating snails for consumption.
Farm-raised snails for human consumption are fed pulverised cereal.
Each year, the French consume approximately 40,00 metric tonnes of snails.
Restaurants in the United States serve approximately one billion snails every year.
According to some research, snail slime can be used to treat gastric ulcers.
NATIONAL ESCARGOT DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | May 24 | Wednesday |
| 2024 | May 24 | Friday |
| 2025 | May 24 | Saturday |
| 2026 | May 24 | Sunday |
| 2027 | May 24 | Monday |
