Snail flavor

Along Tam Thanh beach (Tam Ky), the image of people diligently digging for snails has become familiar. This type of snail often appears most from January to April of the lunar calendar. Although small, only half the size of a chopstick, when prepared properly, snails become an irresistible dish, especially for women.

Early in the morning, fishermen are already at the shore with simple tools: a pole more than two meters long, one end attached to a rectangular iron mold covered with a net to hold the snails, while the sand is washed out with the sea water.

This job seems simple but requires good health. Snail rakers have to soak in cold water for hours, endure sudden big waves and the blazing midday sun.

After being brought ashore, the snails will be sorted by size, then soaked in water to remove the sand. From the shore, the snails are quickly transported to markets, street stalls or to street vendors. On familiar streets such as Tran Cao Van, Phan Chau Trinh, Phan Dinh Phung... it is not difficult to see the image of carts full of snails or motorbikes weaving through the streets with the familiar cry: "Here are snails, who wants snails?".

Ms. Nguyen Thi Trinh, a long-time snail seller in Tam Ky, shared: “Every day, I sell 5-7 buckets of early season snails, each bucket contains about 60 cans. To make delicious snails, you must first choose live snails, clean them thoroughly, and then cook them. Seasoning is also very important: MSG, salt, and dried chili must be kept separately. I will add more according to each person’s taste when they buy.”

Snails are not just a dish, but also an excuse to gather and chat. Especially for those who have lived far from home, the taste of snails is a sweet memory, recalling the days of childhood sitting with friends, meticulously handling each little snail.

Snails can be prepared in many ways: stir-fried with spicy chili, boiled with lemongrass, roasted with salt or steamed with lemon leaves. Spicy stir-fried snails are a favorite dish of many people, because of the spicy taste of chili, the aroma of lemongrass blends in each small snail, nibbling little by little is fascinating. When eating, you cannot miss the grapefruit or lemon thorn stick to remove each snail from the shell, collect each snail into a skewer and enjoy, feeling all the sweet and fatty taste.

Although it is a rustic dish, snails have a special and unforgettable flavor. From fishermen diving to dig snails in the open sea, to street vendors weaving through every corner of the street, all have created a unique culinary culture of the Central region.

A simple dish, but filled with so many memories. Once you sit down and slowly eat each small snail, you will feel your childhood come flooding back, through each story, each laugh between loved ones...

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/huong-vi-oc-le-3155014.html