If you are snail lovers and after a rainy day you go hunting, armed with a large bag and a dose of patience - this article is for you. As you may have guessed, the most common way to preserve fresh snails is by freezing.
In this condition, they can last 3 to 6 months and still be edible. It is important to keep snails separate from other fresh food because they can carry parasites and other pathogens. If they are alive, you should let them starve for a few days before boiling them, then rinse them with water or soak them.
After they are cleaned, boiled and cooled, the snails are ready for storage. Remove their meat from the shells. Wrap them in cling film and then aluminum foil to ensure the meat stays fresh.
Tighten well when wrapping. Place the snails in a plastic bag that closes hermetically, it is best if you use a vacuum sealing bag. To prolong the life of snail meat, it is best that it is not exposed to too much oxygen. Label the freeze date to be sure how long the meat has been in the freezer for.
There is another storage method that has been used primarily in snail farms. We're talking about drying the snails by air. This process takes place over several days in a room with adequate ventilation. Only after that the snails are put in a cold room.
If you decide to buy already cooked and ready-to-eat snails, some manufacturers indicate on the package that you can store them in the refrigerator for two days. However, we recommend that you prepare them as soon as possible after opening the bag.
