Escargot, a rare delicacy? More like a widespread and thriving nuisance in South America!
Who knew?
The giant snail, native to eastern Africa, was exported to Brazil as a profitable substitute for the common garden snail, used for escargot. When Brazilian natives caught on to the lucrative opportunity, they began to breed the mollusks in their own backyards. Unexpectedly, the population ballooned at an astonishing rate!
“This snail is at the height of its invasion, experts say, and its success makes eradication near-impossible.”
Even worse, the few diners in the country who actually eat escargot are turned off by the unfamiliar texture and flavor of the east African substitute. In turn, dozens of backyards and residents are crawling with giant snails—some of them measuring up to 8 inches and weighing in at 1 pound!
Story from National Geographic.
