At first I thought it was just quirky décor—but then I wondered if it hinted at something deeper in Catalan food culture. That curiosity led me to the Aplec del Caragol, a festival that takes place every year in late May.
For one weekend, the city transforms into a giant outdoor kitchen. Groups called colles gather to cook, eat, and celebrate snails in every imaginable way. What began as a small local get‑together has grown into a massive event, drawing more than 200,000 visitors and serving up around 12 tonnes of snails.
Whether or not that sculpture was meant to nod to the festival, it’s a fun reminder that even the smallest (and slowest) creatures can hold a surprisingly big place in a culture.
I’m tempted to add this to the travel list—snails and all. 🐌
image credit - https://www.aplec.org/
Looks like a fun festival.
ReplyDeleteOh my - I bet this is fun! But I don't want to eat the snails. :)
ReplyDeleteHow fun. I love escargot. Delicious.
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous day and rest of the week, Veronica. ♥
Java Bean: "Ayyy, a snail that big would make short work of our Mama's plants, that's for sure!"
ReplyDeleteWow! What a snail ~ looks like a fun festival ~ Hugs ^_^
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun idea to have a festival where they cook together for the occasion. Looks like a wonderful tradition.
ReplyDeleteHuge snail!
ReplyDeleteSorry, I know snails are done as food, and I've heard they're tasty, but I just can't. Not even a festival like that.
ReplyDeleteLovely photo of the giant snail, Veronica. Thank you for sharing information about the Aplec del Caragol. In same parts of Central Italy people eat snail, but disagree on this.
ReplyDeleteInteresting Information! There are a lot of snails! Have a nice day!
ReplyDeleteYou are right... there is a festival down to the smallest of sweet creatures. I would say I would have to pass on taste testing. :) Only because I do not eat much meat or things like that. I would say I am a vegetarian 80 percent of the time. I will have some chicken, certain white fish 2 times a year, and occasionally a good burger and a casserole with ground beef. You are such an inspiration. I hope one day to experience such great cultural things more... without the taste test of the snail. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree that snails are important in nature. I have some brown slugs in my garden, and they are not slow at all!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day and weekend, Veronica!
...not my idea of good eating!!!
ReplyDeleteDang, that is one big bunch of snails!
ReplyDeleteThat's a lot of snails! ☺ Love the sculpture, and I wouldn't mind attending that festival. Escargots in lemon-garlic butter are very tasty.
ReplyDeleteSuch a fun event!
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteGood thing you asked. I also thought the snail was just decoration.
Whoa! that's a lot of snails! It's so wonderful to hear that a local get together has grown so much and become quite a big festival. Now I look forward to attending it virtually -- with you and the little mice. I hope they're doing well. :)
ReplyDeleteHave a good rest of your week, Veronica.
No shortage of snails there.
ReplyDeleteThe sculpture looks so detailed.
Enjoy the weekend, Veronica.
That's a big snail.
ReplyDeleteI've only had snails once (maybe twice) but they were delicious! I would like this festival too!
ReplyDeleteWhat a big snail and a nice festival.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to eat snails.
I wish you a lovely weekend.
All the best, Irma
Wow, that is indeed one big snail! I almost find it a bit scary...
ReplyDeleteLove that big snail and I thought snails were a typical French dish (escargots) I didn't know it was a Spanish thing as well. I tasted them but found them not very interesting They tasted more like the broth they were swimming in :)
ReplyDeleteThat seems like a lot of fun there. Never eaten a snail and was pleased the video showed the young man eating one.
ReplyDeleteThat must be quite the festival. I wonder how many snails are in that pot. Have a great Friday and weekend ahead.
ReplyDeleteWow that sounds like it has grown to be quite the event. Though I'm not sure I could bring myself to try snails..
ReplyDeleteSnail not sure I could but then I love steamed clams so maybe I could
ReplyDeleteCathy
It looks like fun, but I'm in no hurry to eat snail. But you never know!
ReplyDeletethe big snail is very unusual but I can't for the life of me imagine eating snails, oh well, each to their own I guess, have a great weekend :-)
ReplyDeleteFunny event! But I love the garden snails (Roman snails) in my yard, or rather, I have nothing against them. I don't know what kind of snails they eat, but I think I'll pass.
ReplyDeleteDas scheint ein großes Fest für alle zu sein. Diese riesigen Schneckenmengen wollen gegessen werden. ich würde gern mitfeiern und vor allem Schnecken essen.
ReplyDeleteEnorme ese caracol. Divertida celebración. Pero no los comería, los probé y no me gustan.
ReplyDeleteBuen domingo Verónica.
Un abrazo.
I know the snails are specially bred and clean and highly nutritious, but there is NO WAY I will ever eat them.
ReplyDeleteI know about snails that they have either fanatics who love them or others who don't even want to see them. Also that they have a lot of protein. I like to see them alive in nature!! Your photos are beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteHonestly, the energy of Catalan festivals is always unmatched, but a massive outdoor kitchen dedicated entirely to snails sounds like such a unique experience. If you do end up putting it on your travel list, you'll have to try them a la llauna (grilled in a tin tray with lots of garlic and parsley)—that’s the classic festival style!
ReplyDeleteSnails are not on my list of things I would like to eat haha. Look how many of them they are preparing! And it surprises me that so many people enjoy them. Thanks for the video, it was interesting. Looks like the group in red are having a fun time with the process.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a wonderful festival. ❤️
ReplyDeleteThank you!
ReplyDeleteSnails are a salmonella risk, right up there with other nasties like vectors mice and bats.
ReplyDeleteYikes! I thought it was a real snail at first! What an interesting festival, but I couldn't eat a snail.
ReplyDeleteHello, Veronica
ReplyDeleteLooks like a popular event. I have never tried snails, I do like seeing them live outdoors. The giant snail is cool decor! Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great day and a happy week ahead!
Servus Veronika, Schnecken stehen nicht auf meinem Speiseplan ganz oben aber wenn ich auf so ein Fest käme würde ich sie jedenfalls auch kosten.
ReplyDeleteDiese Schnecken werden als Lebensmittel gezüchtet und sind unbedenklich wie ein Hühnchen auch.
LG aus Wien
Personally, I have never eaten a snail and have no plans to try one in the future. That said, the Aplec del Caragol would be a good reason to visit even without sampling the main attraction.
ReplyDeleteThat's a lot of snails! I have tried them, but I'll stick with chicken. I was just in Peru and they love guinea pigs there. I didn't try them or the alpaca.
ReplyDeleteVery, very, interesting. That art snail is huge. I have never eaten a snail - and I don't have any plans to do so. Could you send me your email? Mine is skcz@comcast.net Chatty Crone
ReplyDeleteI've never actually eaten snails... just watched them slither around! :) But from the rather exuberant expressions on the faces of those at the festival, they must be something special. At the very least, the festival looks like it would be crazy fun to attend! You will definitely have to share some photos if you ever do have a chance to go!!
ReplyDeleteThat's quite the festival. I do like escargot - especially in garlic butter - but seeing this unbelievable amount of snails is not really to my liking. In the end I prefer them alive in my garden.
ReplyDeleteDon't think I plan on eating any snails.. ever. That large snail is cool.
ReplyDeleteHave never tried them. My brother in Idaho says they are attracted to the stucco of his house. Apparently they like to eat stucco. We have more slugs here than snails.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting tradition!
ReplyDeleteFiquei com vontade de conhecer!
ReplyDeleteBjxxx,
Pinterest | Instagram | Blog | Partilha Aqui a Tua Opinião
Un festival interesante, pero yo tampoco los comería. Besos.
ReplyDelete