The Health Benefits Of Snail Meat And How To Prepare It

Snail Meat  

The demand for this delicious meat is beginning to rise far above supply as many are beginning to know how sweet and nutritious it is. For many centuries some species of snails have being a part of the food for many countries, especially European countries where they eat about four thousand tons of snails annually. 

This meat is also a common recipe in Africa most especially in the rural areas where rural dwellers go to the wide to peak them. They are easily found at night when the environment is very cool, they go into hideout as soon as the sun begins to rise.

Rural dwellers enjoy this nutritious meat more as they can easily peak them up on the farm or in the wide and it is cheap for them to buy in the markets compared to other meats.

In recent times the peaking of snails in the wide is gradually going into extinction due to natural hazards like deforestation and bush burning. This has led to the new generational method known as “Heliculture” which is a practice of rearing snail under a controlled environment.  

Preparing snail meat

Snail meat can be eating and prepared in a variety of ways. But first you have to break the shell, remove the fleshy snail meat and wash properly to remove the slime. For easy washing you can add lime juice or hot water and wash. You can also use vinegar for washing.

To enjoy the snail meat washing it properly to remove the slime is very necessary. Care should be taking while breaking to remove the shell as it is very sharp to cause injuries.

Preparing snail meat can take a variety of ways depending on how you enjoy it more. 

You can boil with sliced onions, grounded fresh paper, little salt, and oil.

Allow it to boil for about 15 minutes. Ensure the amount of water you are putting in is enough to boil the meat and dry up. After which you can enjoy it with chilled wine.

You can also add this meat to any delicacy, must especially for making any kind of soup. It is mostly preferred for making black soup given it a special flavor and taste. Snail meat can also be roasted by simply rubbing it with a little salt and then place it on fire or oven to roast.

Nutritional makeup of snail meat

Snail meat is one of the best meat that is highly packed with protein and major mineral nutrients. It contains 15% protein, 2.4% fat and 80% water.

It also contains major nutrients such as magnesium, iron, manganese, copper, phosphorus, selenium, and vitamin B12.

Health Benefits            

For a healthy heart

The heart is a very important organ for human existence. It is the symbol of life and all must be done to protect it. Omega-3 fatty acid is a very good nutrient for your heart health. It is often referred to as heart loving fatty acids and as a good news snail contains a significant amount of this nutrient. Omega-3 can also be found in fish meat and other seafood.

Read also: Why your body needs more of fish meat.

Fight against anemia

This meat is rich in iron an excellent nutrient in building red blood cells and energy transport throughout the body. Lack of iron in the body result in anemia and body weakness. It also plays a key function in oxygen transport and cellular respiration.

Source of Magnesium

This mineral nutrient provided by snail meat helps to regulate heartbeat, reduce high blood pressure and enhance bone health

Provide a healthy immune system

Selenium is an important nutrient in boosting the body immune system and also helps to protect cell damage. Snail is a good source of this nutrient.

It will interest you to know that the mucus of snail can be used to treat skin spots, wrinkles, and scars.

Note:

Do not eat uncooked snail meat to prevent lungworm disease.

Do not buy snail meat from an unreliable source 

The Health Benefits of Snail Meat and How to Prepare it

About Author

Raphael Okhueleigbe

Raphael Osas Okhueleigbe is a Blogger, Content creator, Agricultural Economist, Resource manager, and the founder of greener health.

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