May 24 National Escargot Day #NationalEscargotDay

National Escargot Day is celebrated every year on May 24 which honors the tasty French appetizer. I’m sure you know Snails are commonly eaten in France and they’re referred to with the French word ‘Escargot.’ Escargot is super expensive and are prepared with Butter and Garlic, and served in their shell.

No one really knows who started National Escargot Day or when but there can never be too many fun food holidays, right? National Escargot Day celebrates the delicious edible Snail, known as ‘Escargot’ in France.

The origins of Escargot date back to ancient Roman times with archeological evidence showing signs of people having eaten Escargot. It’s believed that the Romans fed Snails Wine and Barley to make them more appetizing and regarded this as an elite dish that was fit for Emperors.

It’s not possible to eat all species of Snails and many are too small to be cooked and consumed. There are also other factors to consider such as the taste of different species. In France, the most consumed species is the Helix Pomatia. Escargot is not eaten across the globe but in some Countries like France, Spain, and Portugal, escargot is often enjoyed as a starter.

These Gastropods are served grilled and in their shells. A metal pick that comes along with it is used to remove the meat from the shell to eat it. In France, people can also buy these Snails in cans along with a carton of empty Snails and specially dimpled plates for serving.

Believe it or not, edible Snails are actually quite good for you as they’re protein-rich, low in fats, and are packed with potassium, vitamin E, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, and selenium. Over the years, Escargot has gained popularity with edible Snails achieving huge sales and it’s no wonder National Escargot Day is celebrated.

How To Celebrate National Escargot Day

It’s time to bring out your Chef skills on National Escargot Day by making your own
If you’ve never tried Escargot, National Escargot Day is a great time to treat your taste buds with this dish.
If you have the means and the opportunity today visit any French restaurant, and order a plate, of Escargot and enjoy.
Escargots are easy to prepare, but Escargot can be intimidating to actually eat. Go to a French restaurant with someone who has eaten Escargots before and learn how to eat this appetizer the right way.

Facts About Escargot

Heliculture is the science of growing Snails, particularly to eat them.
The Snails that are raised on farms to be eaten are fed ground Cereal.
The French consume approximately 40,000 metric tons of Snails each year.
Restaurants in the U.S. serve around one billion Snails annually.
Some research shows that Snail slime can be used to treat stomach ulcers.

Why People Love National Escargot Day

Escargots are a delicacy for some people although Escargots aren’t favored everywhere and therefore they’re considered a delicacy.
Eating Escargots is surely an acquired taste and National Escargot Day is a great day to expand your palette.
Escargots can be healthy so don’t worry if you’re health-conscious because Escargots are super healthy and they are packed with protein and other essential vitamins and nutrients.
National Escargot Day is a great opportunity for everyone to unleash their inner foodie and try these French treats.

Recipe for Escargot

Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 15 mins Total Time: 25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

½ cup butter

1 pound helix snails, without shells

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon minced fresh parsley, or to taste

½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese

salt and ground black pepper to taste

Directions

Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted, bubbling, and lightly browned, about 10 minutes.