Caracóis à Portuguesa
Portuguese Snails
A beloved Portuguese summer tradition, these tender snails are simmered in a fragrant broth of garlic, olive oil, and herbs, perfect for dipping crusty bread into.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Small edible snails (e.g., escargots de Bourgogne or similar)
- 10-12 cloves Garlic
- 100 ml Extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp Dried oregano
- to taste Piri-piri or chili flakes
- 1 liter Water
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 Bay leaf
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Purge and clean snails: This is a crucial step for removing any grit and impurities. Place live snails in a container with a lid (with air holes) and feed them a diet of flour or oatmeal for 2-3 days. Alternatively, rinse them thoroughly under cold running water, scrubbing the shells gently. Then, place them in a bowl of clean, salted water (1 tbsp salt per liter of water) for at least 12 hours, or preferably overnight, in the refrigerator. You will see the water become cloudy as they expel waste. Drain and rinse thoroughly until the water runs clear.
⏱️ Overnight (12-24 hours) - 2
Parboil the snails: Place the cleaned snails in a large pot. Cover them with fresh water, ensuring they are fully submerged. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and the optional bay leaf. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium and simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the snails are tender when pierced with a fork. Skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface during cooking. Drain the snails and rinse them under cold water. Discard the boiling water and bay leaf.
⏱️ 45-60 minutes - 3
Prepare the garlic and herb broth: In a separate large pan or skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and sauté gently for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it will become bitter. Add the dried oregano and piri-piri (adjust amount to your spice preference). Stir for another 30 seconds until the herbs release their aroma.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 4
Simmer snails in broth: Add the parboiled and drained snails to the pan with the garlic-herb oil. Stir to coat them evenly. Add about 1 cup (240ml) of fresh water or the reserved snail cooking liquid (if you saved some and it's clean) to create a broth. Bring to a gentle simmer. Cover the pan and cook for another 15-20 minutes, allowing the snails to absorb the flavors of the broth and become tender. The broth should reduce slightly and become fragrant.
⏱️ 15-20 minutes - 5
Serve: Ladle the hot snails and their delicious broth into small bowls. Serve immediately with plenty of crusty bread for dipping into the flavorful broth. The broth is as important as the snails themselves!
⏱️ 5 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Purging the snails properly is essential for a clean taste and texture.
- ✓Don't overcook the snails, as they can become tough.
- ✓The garlic-herb broth is meant to be savored; serve with plenty of bread.
- ✓Adjust the amount of piri-piri to control the heat level.
- ✓This dish is best enjoyed fresh and hot.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add a splash of white wine to the broth for extra depth of flavor.
- Incorporate other fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro in the final minutes of cooking.
- For a richer broth, use a small amount of butter along with the olive oil.