Sea snail season, the taste of the sea in my hometown.

QTO - Whenever the fishermen see the sandy beach sparkling with tiny snails, they know the season for sea snails has arrived. For generations, this type of snail has been a rustic dish of the coastal region, evoking childhood memories for many, providing a little extra livelihood for the people, and contributing to the savory flavor of the culinary culture of the sandy area.

A bounty from the sea...

As dawn broke, the beach was already filled with people. Not fishing boats out at sea, but slow footsteps on the dew-soaked sand.

In coastal villages like Bao Ninh, Quang Phu, and Hai Ninh (formerly)..., tiny sea snails are usually abundant from February to April in the lunar calendar, depending on the tides and weather. When the tide recedes, layers of these tiny snails are washed ashore in thin layers. Experienced people can tell where there are many just by looking. For coastal residents, they are considered a "bounty from the sea."

Mr. Pham Thai Hy (72 years old), residing in Tay Phu residential area, Dong Thuan ward, has been involved in the fishing industry for decades. Every time the sea snail season arrives, he takes his bamboo rake to the beach early in the morning. Mr. Hy smiles kindly when mentioning the snail season: “The sea snails are small but very sweet. They're available every year during this season. When we see the sea bringing in snails, the villagers get together to rake them. Some days we get a few kilograms to sell at the market, other days just enough to bring home for a snack. It's both a little extra income and a habit for people in coastal areas.”

Mr. Pham Thai Hy (72 years old), from Tay Phu residential area, Dong Thuan ward, takes advantage of the early morning to collect sea snails - Photo: CM

With just a small basket or a simple bamboo rake, people can collect snails. As the sun gradually rises over the sea, the usually quiet sandy beach becomes bustling with the footsteps of people collecting snails, their conversations mingling with the sound of waves.

On days when snails are abundant, each person can collect about 5-7 kg of periwinkle snails in just one morning. The selling price at markets usually ranges from 20,000 to 30,000 VND per can after processing. Although not a major source of income, the periwinkle snail season has become a familiar part of life for the fishermen in the village.

Memories of the Sand Dunes

For many people from coastal areas, childhood memories are intertwined with mornings and evenings spent running to the beach to collect sea snails. Back then, children didn't need modern games; a small basket and a breezy beach were enough to bring joy. After being collected, the snails were washed clean and boiled with a few crushed lemongrass stalks. Once cooked, a small toothpick was all that was needed to extract the tiny, sweet, and flavorful sea-flavored snail meat. This simple dish left a lasting impression on many.

Ms. Duong Thi Nga, currently living and working in Ho Chi Minh City, shared: "It's only when you're far away that you miss the dishes from your hometown. Sea snails are a simple dish, but they evoke the most childhood memories. Perhaps it's because they not only contain the taste of the sea, but also the memories of afternoons spent running to the beach to collect snails with friends."

Sea snails, a familiar and rustic dish of people in coastal areas - Photo: CM

Sea snails are not only a familiar dish for fishing families. In coastal markets, small buckets of snails are often displayed for sale from early morning. The price is not high, but there are always people asking to buy them.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Hang, a small vendor at Dong Hoi market, said: “Snail dishes are very easy to sell. This is a simple dish, but it's very enjoyable to eat, especially when the whole family gathers together, eating and chatting. Now I also sell them on social media, so more customers from far away know about them. Some people buy them to take to the South, and some even take them abroad as gifts for friends and relatives. This small dish from my hometown easily captivates the hearts of those far away.”

For the people of the sandy coastal region, sea snails are not an expensive delicacy. They are simply a small gift from the sea. But it is this very simplicity that creates a unique aspect in the culinary culture of the coastal area. When the sea snail season is over, the sandy beach returns to the familiar rhythm of waves and wind. But the savory taste of these tiny snails remains in the memories of many.

Because sometimes, what people remember most about their hometown isn't the fancy dishes, but the simple treats from the sea, like the annual return of sea snails to the sandy beaches.

C. Minh

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/xa-hoi/202603/mua-oc-ruoc-huong-vi-bien-que-739101d/