Grilled Snails with Herb Butter

Ingredients

• 24 live snails 24 live snails
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• Juice of 1 lemon Juice of 1 lemon
• 1/4 cup (60ml) olive oil 1/4 cup (60ml) olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat: 28g (Saturated Fat: 14g)
• Carbohydrates: 2g (Sugars: 0g)
• Protein: 15g
• Fiber: 0g
• Salt: 0.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Clean the snails thoroughly by rinsing them under cold water and removing any dirt or debris.
2. 2.
   In a bowl, combine the minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Add the snails to the marinade and toss to coat them evenly. Let them marinate for at least 30 minutes.
3. 3.
   In a separate bowl, mix the softened butter, parsley, thyme, and rosemary until well combined. Set aside.
4. 4.
   Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
5. 5.
   Remove the snails from the marinade and place them directly on the grill grates. Cook for about 5 minutes per side, or until the snails are cooked through and slightly charred.
6. 6.
   Remove the snails from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes.
7. 7.
   Serve the grilled snails with a dollop of herb butter on top. Enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Snails — Ensure that the snails are thoroughly cleaned before marinating them. Remove any dirt or debris from their shells and rinse them under cold water.
• Garlic — Mince the garlic finely to evenly distribute its flavor throughout the marinade.
• Butter — Soften the butter at room temperature before mixing it with the herbs. This will make it easier to combine and spread over the grilled snails.
• Fresh herbs — Use fresh herbs for the best flavor. Finely chop the parsley and rosemary, and remove the thyme leaves from the stems before adding them to the herb butter.

Tips & Tricks

• If you can't find live snails, you can use canned snails as a substitute. Just make sure to drain and rinse them before marinating.
• Serve the grilled snails with crusty bread to soak up the flavorful herb butter.
• For an extra kick of flavor, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the grilled snails before serving.
• If you prefer a spicier version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the herb butter.
• Experiment with different herb combinations to customize the flavor profile of the dish.

Serving advice

Serve the Grilled Snails with Herb Butter as an appetizer or as part of a seafood-themed meal. Provide small forks or toothpicks for easy snail removal from the shells. Accompany the dish with a fresh green salad and a glass of crisp white wine to complement the flavors.

Presentation advice

Arrange the grilled snails on a platter, drizzle them with a little extra herb butter, and garnish with sprigs of fresh herbs. The vibrant green color of the herb butter will create an appealing contrast against the charred snail shells.