Snail
  • edible when cooked.
  • look for snails after a rain, or in damp, shady areas.
  • warning: snails may ingest food that is poisonous/toxic to humans. As a precaution, allow snails a day or two to purge themselves before cooking.
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Field Notes
Snails are not always easy to find even after a rain, but when available they are a delicacy for the so-inclined. In the remoter areas of the Gulf Islands of BC, I've been able to easily collect several snails a day in drizzly/cloudy weather. I place them in a well ventilated plastic bag with some mossy soil and grass, and let them purge for several days. Snails will definitely find their way out of any container that has holes that are larger than their shells. The plastic netted bags for holding grapes in the supermarket make a good snail enclosure.

Snails are very sensitive to moisture, so be sure to water them occasionally when/if their environment starts to dry out or get hot. When I'm ready to cook, I boil snails whole for 5-10 minutes, gently pull them from the shell, then boil for another few minutes if there's any sliminess. They have a fatty, juicy texture and an unoffensive, mild flavour - good for the dinner soup.