Giant Snail Pies to Feed the Malnourished in Africa

[Are_grits_groceries]

Malnutrition and iron deficiency are rampant problems in developing nations across Africa. They can lead to serious health issues and mortality, especially in young people. But a nutritionist in Nigeria has uncovered a remedy that could drastically improve extremely poor diets and help feed Africa's youth--a recipe for giant snail pies. More nutritious than beef, and far more abundant, giant snails could be the key ingredient to a healthier Africa. Oh yeah, and evidently they taste great.

The Giant Snail Diet
Ukpong Udofia of the University of Uyo recently completed her research on the nutritional content of the African Giant Snail, a resilient animal that has become a notorious invasive species around the world. The snail is incredibly common in swamps and forests of Africa, and is a popular novelty pet in the US.

But it's also rich in protein, iron, calcium, zinc, and many essential vitamins. According to Science Daily, Udofia's study compared the snail meat to a beef steak, and found the snail to be superior in every way. It's cheaper, more nutritious, and easier to obtain. Which means it could help address malnutrition in many more communities than beef, the typically pursued iron and protein source, ever could. It's evidently best eaten in a sort of simple-to-make pie.

That leaves one important factor up in the air: will anyone be able to stomach giant snail pies?

Giant Snail Pies--Better than Beef Steak?
Apparently, yes. Udofia administered a taste test--and people overwhelmingly preferred the snail pies to beef pies.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/11/giant-snail-pies-feed-malnourished-africa.php

This could really be the start of something important.
If they are in the US as pets, they will be coming to a suitable area near you at some point.

[historian]

1. you heavent ordered escargot in a french restaurant

obviously. Those are snails, covered with garlic butter then broiled ( i think). To those who eat such things they are wonderful. I dont think that anyone starving to death will be very picky about what they have to eat.

[Are_grits_groceries]

3. I wasn't complaining about them as food. ???????????

If they are dumped in the US, they will become another invasive species that could have a detrimental impact on the environment.

I say, good for Africa. They apparently taste good.

[mikelgb]

2. fancy franch food fer furriners

[MineralMan]

4. Now, they's some damn jumbo escargots you got there.

Yumm!

[PDJane]

5. They taste like garlicky rubber bands.........

and the eye stalks crunch.

Can you tell I'm not fond of them?

[notadmblnd]

9. You've had the giant ones?

I love escargot and I've never had one that was chewy. Must be the restaurant you had them in.:shrug: I've had bad calamari too, and good calamari is not tough either.

[comrade snarky]

12. Sounds like they were overcooked

Snails are like scallops. To long on the heat and they go tough, fast.

I admit though, even as someone who likes them, they're mostly a vehicle for garlic and butter. Also, asking "Would you like a slice of snail?" sounds really funny.

[dysfunctional press]

6. i LOVE escagot....

when i was a waiter, i always loved it when the chef had it at the tastings, because none of the waitresses would touch it, and i got it all. :woohoo:

[nemo137]

7. I'm pretty sure this was mentioned in "Soylent Green"

Or, more accurately, in the book it was based on Make Room, Make Room. I remember something about chipped snail meat, and the book specifically mentions African Giant Snail as the source of it.

[juno jones]

8. In 25 years I've learned to like a lot of food that my midwestern

self would never dream of eating- sushi, goat products, chopped liver/pate, calamari and stinky-ass bleu cheese have all become not just edible but favorites over the years.

I've never been able to do escargot tho. It seems to be a texture thing. Garlicky tires is what came to mind when I tried them.

Then again, cooked well and baked African snail might well have a decent flavor and texture, so who am I to judge. :shrug:

BRB, eyeing Pacific Northwest Coastal slugs with trepidation. :P

[bergie321]

10. The only question left...

Can they be factory farmed and pumped full of HGH to make them 6 feet tall?

[petronius]

11. That reminds me of a science fiction story I read decades ago about an island

with huge, fast carnivorous snails. I remember liking it, but I haven't been able to find it again...

[eppur_se_muova]

17. It's not fiction -- NZ has carnivorous snails that attack giant earthworms!

I got to watch a clash of these titans on a "Nature" program years ago -- snail actually catches and wrestles a giant worm!

http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/snails-and-slugs/2

Powelliphanta are carnivores, eating worms (which they slurp like spaghetti) and slugs. They are mainly nocturnal, living in leaf mould or under logs, and only appearing at night to forage.

Powelliphanta snails lay up to 10 eggs a year. Each egg is 12–14 millimetres long, with a hard pink shell like a tiny bird’s egg.

[DBoon]

13. can they be genetically engineered so Monsanto can patent them? (nt)

[Capn Sunshine]

15. They need a diet of High fructose corn syrup and a cow gene

That would make them tastier.:9

[Owl]

14. wowsers, that's one big snail!

[Capn Sunshine]

16. I want to go on record

"Giant Snail Pie" is a GREAT DU user name.