Eating snails on the Camino Portugues

motero99 · Mar 24, 2023

In the late 70's, I traveled in Portugal. In almost every bar I went to in Lisbon, there was always a crockpot behind the counter with snails for eating. My daughters like to eat snails. They will be joining me in Porto for a combination of the Litoral and Central to Santiago. Are snails served in most places on this route as I remember them from Lisbon? thank you

TerriMartin · Mar 24, 2023

motero99 said:
In the late 70's, I traveled in Portugal. In almost every bar I went to in Lisbon, there was always a crockpot behind the counter with snails for eating. My daughters like to eat snails. They will be joining me in Porto for a combination of the Litoral and Central to Santiago. Are snails served in most places on this route as I remember them from Lisbon? thank you

I’ve not seen them on the menu anywhere. I’m on the Portuguese Central route now, in Caldas de Reis, Spain.

Edit: I started in Aborim/Tamel, north of Porto

Camembert · Mar 24, 2023

Ask for “ caracois” in a restaurant

trecile · Mar 24, 2023

I seem to recall restaurants/bars having signs up that they had snails (há caracóis) while on the Portuguese route between Lisbon and Porto last year.

Tincatinker · Mar 24, 2023

Spring is the season for caracois (caracoles in Spain). That’s why I’m off to Andalusia again next month

Friend from Barquinha · Mar 24, 2023

trecile said:
I seem to recall restaurants/bars having signs up that they had snails (há caracóis) while on the Portuguese route between Lisbon and Porto last year.

Yes! This! They're considered a bar snack to have with beer, rather than a meal, in Portugal. Watch out for little hand-written paper signs with a sketch of a snail and the words "Há caracóis" beside it, stuck on the window. And in the little cafés and bars, rather than "formal" restaurants.

This is the Portuguese plural of "caracol" (snail), and the phrase means they have them. Typically you get a HUGE bowl or pot of them for not very much money. I have to say, I've resisted, so far, while watching neighbours munch them...

Probably not quite as sophisticated as the French presentation, but...enjoy!

Tincatinker · Mar 25, 2023

That’s the hit. Bowl of snails in a wine, garlic, herb liquor. Slurping them out of their little striped shells. Cold beer or a rich red wine. Juice on your shirtfront and cuffs. Sand between your toes. El Rocio here I come.

Anniesantiago · Mar 25, 2023

I've eaten caracoles on the Madrid route.

hughb · Mar 25, 2023

motero99 said:
In the late 70's, I traveled in Portugal. In almost every bar I went to in Lisbon, there was always a crockpot behind the counter with snails for eating. My daughters like to eat snails. They will be joining me in Porto for a combination of the Litoral and Central to Santiago. Are snails served in most places on this route as I remember them from Lisbon? thank you

They are not usually on a menu. Simply served as a snack in most bars. Unlike those in France, they are small and you get a large bowl for a couple of euros.

Enjoy.

TrvlDad1 · Mar 25, 2023

I’m on the CP Central now. I stayed in Vila Nova Barquina last night and ate at a food bus (interesting concept I have not seen before) at the park on the river. They had them on the menu, but I did not try them. I’m pretty sure they are frozen, as was everything else on the menu. But my meal of sautéed shrimp on toast was very good even though they were frozen.

Rita Flower · Mar 27, 2023

motero99 said:
In the late 70's, I traveled in Portugal. In almost every bar I went to in Lisbon, there was always a crockpot behind the counter with snails for eating. My daughters like to eat snails. They will be joining me in Porto for a combination of the Litoral and Central to Santiago. Are snails served in most places on this route as I remember them from Lisbon? thank you

Depends on the season. I was there late May June and the tiny snails were in the menu in one particular district. I recommend ordering a small serve rather than large. They were delicious but a lot to get through by myself. My Camino companion was not interested.

Rita Flower · Mar 27, 2023

TrvlDad1 said:
I’m on the CP Central now. I stayed in Vila Nova Barquina last night and ate at a food bus (interesting concept I have not seen before) at the park on the river. They had them on the menu, but I did not try them. I’m pretty sure they are frozen, as was everything else on the menu. But my meal of sautéed shrimp on toast was very good even though they were frozen.

The tiny ones I had were seasonal and fresh. We saw them being collected.

Jarrad · Mar 27, 2023

Mmm ... snails! Poster child for the slow food movement. I've had them several different ways, but it seems like simple preparations involving butter, wine and garlic have been the best. As noted, washed down with beer is the way to go.

Tincatinker · Mar 27, 2023

As any snail farmer will tell you - the more snails you eat in the spring the more lettuce you get in the summer

Dawsie · Apr 17, 2023

I can confirm availability of local snails at least in the south of the Iberian peninsula. Currently in Cadiz in April and bars have "hay caracoles" signs. Looking forward to some later this week. A large tub for 7 Euros, a Vaso for 2.50 Euros.
We also say some in bars in Portugal, but only south of Porto.
Of course this is only what we saw while driving south so your mileage may vary . . .

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