In Tunisia, snails again become popular – they are rich in protein, go well with salt, spices and much more accessible to red meat, which many inhabitants cannot afford.
According to a study published in the journal Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, snails have been eaten in Tunisia for more than seven thousand years. Nowadays, they are mainly considered a delicacy in restaurants, but in Tunisia they again become popular as a convenient replacement of red meat, writes AP.
Snails became a kind of salvation for some residents of Tunisia, where the unemployment rate among young people exceeds 40%, and inflation remains high, three years after record growth. The lack of jobs gives rise to social dissatisfaction throughout the country, which is increasingly leading to migration to Europe. Snails, with a low fat content and a high level of iron, calcium and magnesium, are not only a valuable food product, but also economic benefits. In a country where the unemployment rate is high, and the average wage remains low, the snails are about two times cheaper than beef per kilogram, and sometimes even cheaper if they sell them portioned.
With rising prices for meat and poultry, more and more Tunisians choose more affordable sources of protein. In addition to their economic benefits, these alternatives also attract attention due to environmental advantages. Studies show that the snails are a more stable solution, since they produce significantly less carbon emissions and do not contribute to the cutting of forests, as is the case with traditional livestock.