prompter: Is eating a snail you find on the ground safe?

assistant: No, it is not safe to eat a snail that you find on the ground. Snails can carry parasites and bacteria that can be harmful to humans. Some snails can also be poisonous, so it is best to avoid eating any snails that you find in the wild. If you want to eat snails, it is best to buy them from a reputable source and prepare them properly.

prompter: What kind of store sells culinary grade snails? How would I go about finding such a shop? Additionally, please teach me how to cook a snail and prepare it properly as you mentioned. Preferably, the method should be both safe and delicious.

assistant: You shouldn't eat things you pick up from the ground raw, you're likely to get sick from bacteria, viruses and dirt that's there on the object.

If you're curious, you should look for recipes that have snails as an ingredient and research where to obtain edible snails.

prompter: I don't eat snails as I am not French. What other peoples eat snails aside from the French?

assistant: While snails are considered a delicacy in French cuisine, they are also consumed in other parts of the world. Here are a few examples:

1. Mediterranean countries: Snails are commonly consumed in countries such as Spain, Italy, and Greece. In Spain, snails are often cooked with garlic and served as a tapa, while in Italy they are a popular ingredient in pasta dishes.

2. Southeast Asia: In some parts of Southeast Asia, snails are considered a delicacy and are often consumed as a snack or used in soups and stews. For example, in Vietnam, snails are often served with lemongrass and chili.

3. Africa: Snails are a popular delicacy in many African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon. In Nigeria, snails are often cooked with a spicy sauce and served as a side dish or snack.

4. South America: In some parts of South America, such as Peru and Chile, snails are considered a traditional food and are often consumed in soups and stews.

It's worth noting that there are many different types of snails and ways to prepare them, so culinary traditions may vary depending on the region and culture.

prompter: can you tell me how long snails even exists?

assistant: The cuisines of Portugal, Greece, Italy, Spain and Morocco also include snails in popular dishes. In these countries, snails are often prepared in a variety of ways, including boiling, grilling and frying. Snails are often served with garlic butter in Portugal, while in Greece they are usually cooked in a tomato-based sauce. Snails are sometimes eaten as part of a pasta dish in Italy, while in Spain they are usually served as tapas. In Morocco, snails are often cooked with spices and herbs to create a savoury dish.

assistant: While escargot (cooked snails) is a traditional French dish, it is also consumed in many other countries and cultures around the world. Some other examples of cultures and cuisines that include snails as part of their traditional dishes include:

1. Greece: Snails are commonly used in Greek cuisine, particularly in dishes like "bourdeto" and "kakavia."

2. Italy: Snails are often used in Italian cuisine, particularly in dishes from the southern regions of the country. One example is "lumache alla ligure," a dish of snails cooked with herbs and tomato sauce.

3. Spain: Snails are commonly eaten in parts of Spain, especially in the Andalusia region. One example is "caracoles al estilo de la Sierra," a dish of snails cooked with garlic, herbs, and spices.

4. Vietnam: Snails are often used in Vietnamese cuisine, particularly in dishes like "oc len xao dua" (snails cooked with coconut milk) and "bun rieu cua oc" (noodle soup with snail meat).

5. North African and Middle Eastern countries: Snails are a popular food in some North African and Middle Eastern countries, often served in stews or as a filling for pastries.

It's worth noting that while snails are a delicacy in some cultures, they are not commonly eaten in others. However, if you're interested in trying snails, you may be able to find them at specialty restaurants or markets in your area.

prompter: That Vietnam recipe sounds interesting. How might I prepare it? What ingredients should I buy ahead of time and what should I do overall to make it a nice meal for myself? If it turns out to be good, I may just recommend it to a friend or two or try other snail recipes.

assistant: Here are the key steps to prepare Vietnamese snail dishes like "oc len xao dua" and "bun rieu cua oc":

Ingredients to buy ahead:

- Live snails (petit-gris or similar edible snail variety). Clean and purge the snails by keeping them in a container of cornmeal for a few days to purge out impurities.

- Coconut milk

- Lemongrass, garlic, shallots, ginger, chili peppers

- Fish sauce, lime juice, sugar

- Rice noodles, bean sprouts, mint, cilantro for bun rieu cua oc

Steps:

1. Rinse and boil the snails for a few minutes until they emerge from their shells. Discard water. Remove snails from shells.

2. Chop aromatics like lemongrass, garlic, shallots, ginger and chili. Saute in oil until fragrant.

3. Add snail meat, coconut milk, fish sauce, lime juice and sugar. Simmer for a few minutes until slightly thickened. Serve over rice or noodles.

4. For bun rieu cua oc, add broth to the snail coconut curry, top with noodles, bean sprouts, herbs and fried shallots.

Let me know if you have any other questions! Snail dishes can be really delicious when prepared well with fresh ingredients. Enjoy!

assistant: Eating a snail found on the ground could be unsafe, as the snail may carry harmful bacteria or parasites.