What would happen if I ate a slug? Is eating slugs dangerous? Are slugs nutritious? Enquiring minds want to know. And so, several times a day for the past 18 months, visitors have arrived at Flandrum Hill in search of answers.
Back in July of 2009, I wrote a post about Eating Slugs and Snails. To date it’s received more views than any other post on this site.
I’d wondered if slugs were edible ever since I marvelled at the sight of 6 inch long ones in British Columbia decades ago. Even the smaller ones in Nova Scotia looked meaty and boneless, and I wondered why nobody seemed interested in cooking them up for nutritious fare. Well, apparently there’s a good reason for this.
Slugs harbor a host of parasites. You can contract meningitis by consuming them. Not to mention death. So there you have it. I hope all those folks who visited my post found the answers they were looking for and had their sluggish apetites curtailed.
Still, if you aren’t yet convinced that there are better things than slugs with which to satisfy your apetite, at least cook them well before you eat them. In order to kill any bacteria, it’s recommended that turkey be roasted to an internal temperature of at least 165ºF. I’d go with at least that (and then some) if roasting slugs.
Even in January, slugs can be found curled up under rocks in my backyard. You’re welcome to come and pick your own. Just remember to put the rocks back in place when you’re done.
How did I miss your July post on slugs? When in Scotland years ago, where there is so much rain that gardens are like jungles, I saw giant slugs and wondered (having come straight from Paris) if they mightn’t be tasty treats. Wouldn’t wild snails also harbor parasites? I suppose you wouldn’t want to eat those, either. So is the answer to raise slugs domestically rather than gather wild ones? Thank you for an intriguing line of thought for a cold winter weekend!
And isn’t it interesting when you see that one post you wrote gets so many more readers than others and that its popularity goes on and on? Who knew it would be slugs for you?
Pamela, the original post (http://flandrumhill.wordpress.com/2009/07/04/eating-slugs-and-snails/) went into more detail as to the safety of eating snails. I don’t think I’ve eaten a snail since I did the research for that post. I have yet to try eating a slug.
The reason why I probably continue to get so many visitors to that post is because it’s not a topic that many others have written about.
It was the milk hauler that slid off Essex Road for me. Three years later it still gets more visits than practically anything. I’m sick of it myself.
Gerry, you probably think twice now before posting another accident report
Yuck!
Perfect choice of words Nadezhda
I’m sure many would agree with you.
I think I’d stick to eating vegetation before I tucked into a slug.
Who knew the world clamored to discover the culinary delights of a slug.
Dawn, I think there’s a growing interest in wild edibles, especially when there’s question as to the safety of the rest of our food supply. I’d wonder if even home grown ones, as Pamela mentioned, would be ok.
What would Euell Gibbons say? I mused to myself. It’s interesting that there’s a lot of internet chatter about the subject, but after a quick search I didn’t find any Authoritative Source that says eat up! Nah, I’m sticking with your advice Miss Amy. No slugs for me. The Cowboy won’t eat ‘em either, which puts the nail in their coffin as far as I’m concerned.
Gerry, even though many folks seem to enjoy drowning them in beer, I’ve yet to find a recipe for them fried in a beer batter. Trust the dog.
Not really interested in eating slugs. I just think of that greenish ooze that is freed when you step on one. Ewwwwwww.
Gasp! Grace! You step on slugs! You probably don’t do it on purpose
No way! Stepping on bugs creeps me out . . . then there’s the whole feeling bad afterwards factor:)
Hello From Austria/Europe. Near Vienna I know of a professional “slug farmer”. Slugs have a long tradition here and were eaten in times of fasting where no meat was allowed. The romans loved them as far back as 50 BC and there are a lot of recipes in old cook books from the 18th century.
More you can find out here (sorry, german language only).
http://www.wienerschnecke.at/
There is also a video to learn more about the breeding of these slugs (Helix pomatia). Bon appetit!
Ooops! This is more complicated than I thought. Think I confused the molluscs? Who is who? Slugs, snails, escargots? Have to learn much more about it…sorry about that.
beratungimwienerwald, thank you for adding the link and information. The Helix pomatia have a shell whereas the slugs do not. When I followed the link for the escargots/snails that you provided, I was surprised to see that their eggs were also eaten.
In German, slugs are known as ‘Nacktschnecken.’ Does this help?
I can’t say it’s ever occurred to me to eat a slug, but then I’ve had a lifelong aversion to molluscs of any kind, crustations as well much to the chagrin of my seafood loving husband. You have inspired me to try to catch some pictures of them next summer however!
Cindy, so many people have an aversion to molluscs and crustaceans, even here in Nova Scotia where they are so plentiful. There are even some religions that forbid their consumption altogether. I wonder if there really is something about eating them that is not good for us.
Your stories about the salamander and slugs have been most educational and amusing – nice combo!
Margaret, I’m glad you found them so
Thanks for leaving a comment.
So do they respond to beer and salt the same if alive or roasted? LOL. Couldn’t resist. Now grasshoppers are supposed to be high in protein, aren’t they? And safe for consumption?
Still trying to figure out the food appeal of slugs for anyone….they must be very hungry folks.
47whitebuffalo, it seems to me that grasshoppers’ legs would scratch your throat on the way down. I guess it would depend how they were cooked.
I think that part of the appeal of slugs has to do with them being boneless. Not much food preparation required