How to make Crunchy Peppered Snails

Hello People,

Snails! Snails!! Snails!!! How i love thee (*words of a glutton). I love snails alot, especially when crunchy and stir fried in pepper sauce.
Some people say "when you eat snails, you will be slow", i honestly don't believe that cos i have been eating snails since i was a kid, and with all humility, i aint "slow" mehn.
Snails also known as "Congo Meat" (don't know where this name came from) are rich in Protein, though not as much as that in beef or chicken, but compares favourably with sea-foods. They are also high in Iron which is good for women of child bearing age. Snails are said to contain carbohydrate but in little quantity, so good for weight watchers (those on low carb diet).

With this said, to the business of the day;
Ingredients:
25 Medium Sized Snails
Pepper & Tomato purée
1 big onion
1/2 cup of Soya oil (for stir frying) (You can use any oil you have, aside palm oil)
3   Carrots (for garnishing)
1 Large Green Pepper/Capsicum
2 Stock cubes

For Cleaning the Snails:
Alum
Lime
Garri (optional)

Peppered crunchy snails

Tools:
Tray
Aluminium Foil 
Tooth picks
Knife

Direction:
1. Snails come in a shell, remove from the shell, by cracking the shell to unveil the snail meat. 
Scrape the snail skin with a sharp knife to remove the dirts, wash with alum and lime to remove the slime.
Use garri to further take off the slime.
2. Wash in warm water
3. Boil snails with onions, red bell peppers and seasoning for about 20 mins. (Remember, you want your snails crunchy, so don't over cook)
4. Take snails out from the stock (the liquid generated after boiling the snails) and set aside
5. In a sauce pan, heat the Soya Oil till hot,  add onions and stir fry for a minute, add the tomato & pepper purée , stock cube and stir fry for 4 mins. Pour in the snails, stir properly to incorporate, then allow to simmer for 5 minutes. 
6. Scrap your carrots and cut in small circles, wash your green pepper and cut.
7. Get your tray, cover it in aluminium foil. Pass each snail through a tooth pick, add carrot & green pepper at the top & bottom of the tooth pick.
There you have it, Crunchy Peppered Snails, can be eaten as an appetizer, snack or meal.

Snail (with the shell)

*Forgive me please, i forgot to take pictures while washing the snails.

Kitchen Tips:
*Snail intestines can contain decayed materials and toxins, so remove the intestine to avoid falling ill.
* The snail stock can be used as a base in making other dishes so don't discard, keep refrigerated till needed. 

Regards,
 Nitie

 *Always wash your hands before and after handling food items.