Have you tried escargot?
The first time I tried this delicacy was in high school. My father was a regular customer of a local French restaurant, Le Chambord in Westport, CT. I was a sophomore and preparing for my first trip abroad. I wanted to try "real" French food before I actually had to survive on it.
Of course, escargot is drenched in garlic butter. I believe you could put garlic butter on tree bark and it would be delicious. However, there are two basic issues with escargot, in my humble opinion.
One: how to eat it. Typically, there are six escargot in the shell on a small serving dish. The first step is to pick up the shell with the specialty tongs. The second step is to use the small fork to ease the snail out of its shell.
The angst of this moment is captured beautifully by Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman (the escargot scene is towards the end, but worth it). Yes, they are indeed "slippery little suckers"
SECOND: the texture. Snails are chewy - really chewy. If you focus on what you are eating rather than the flavor - you could gag. So just enjoy the garlic butter with each bite.
The best part of escargot? The dipping sauce once you are finished.
The bottom of each shell holds this delectable elixir, which is easily soaked up by a small piece of bread. Now THAT is haute cuisine at its finest.
I've never eaten escargot, but snails are a traditional dish of this part of Italy too (I'm from Verona). My mum used to cook them, not very often, but I did taste them sometimes. In this parts, they come without shells.
ReplyDeleteNot my thing, I have to say... ;-)
@JazzFeathers
The Old Shelter - Jazz Age Jazz
On my... I don't think I would have the courage to eat them just sitting on a plate; the shell hides their slug-ness :)
DeleteYum - I love escargot! I started eating them as a small child. I suspect I didn't really know what they are. I just loved their garlic butter taste.
ReplyDeleteCheers - Ellen | http://thecynicalsailor.blogspot.com/2016/04/e-is-for-epirb-nancy-drew-investigates.html
I'm glad there is someone else out there who enjoys them. I have a feeling this is not going to be a popular post :)
DeleteI think there are things that I don't need to try...
ReplyDeleteClaudia
www.claowuepotpourri.wordpress.com
I totally get that.... :)
DeleteI don't think I'd ever be brave enough to try escargot (same with oysters, ick) but I agree garlic butter is delicious ;)
ReplyDelete@LunaNoctis from There She Goes
Actually, that same year I also tried raw oysters. I'm not really a fan (although I understand the secret is not to chew, but just let it slide down your throat)
DeleteI think I'm way too picky of an eater to ever try escargot.
ReplyDeleteI completely understand. There are many exotic foods that I have no desire to try either :)
DeleteI am not sure about escargot, but I love crab and oysters. They are probably similar in texture?
ReplyDeleteActually, they are different, although I agree that all three have very unique textures. Escargot are more chewy than crab and not quite as slimy as oysters, in my humble opinion :)
DeleteYeah, no! I do love the way the word rolls off my tongue, but would never allow the actual item ever touch it (my tongue.) I salute you for your bravery. When I visited France, I lived mostly on bread, cheese, croissants, coffee, wine, chocolate, and chestnuts from the corner vendors!
ReplyDeleteGail’s 2016 April A to Z Challenge
E is for Eastern European Ancestors
#IWSG
I could easily live on your French diet 365 days a year :)
DeleteI doubt I will ever try them haha. Your post caught my attention because of the name it reminded me of a mention in my short ficlet of the letter "A... Amour". Cheers, www.xoxomake.com
ReplyDeleteStay tuned for the letter "K" ... it is closely related to Amour :)
DeleteLove the scene from Pretty Woman. I gotta be honest with you though – you aren't making me want to rush out on try them. lol. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah.... I need to work on my persuasion skills ;)
DeleteThanks for stopping by my blog!