Ginataang kuhol facts for kids
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| Course | Main course |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Philippines |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Main ingredients | Apple snails, coconut milk |
Ginataang kuhol is a tasty Filipino dish. It's a stew made with apple snails cooked in creamy coconut milk. This popular meal also includes fresh leafy vegetables, onion, garlic, and ginger. Sometimes, people add spicy siling haba or labuyo chilis for an extra kick! A special ingredient called bagoong alamang (shrimp paste) is also used to give it a unique flavor.
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About the Snails in Ginataang Kuhol
The snails used in Ginataang kuhol are called kuhol in the Philippines. Originally, this dish used native Philippine apple snails. But over time, it started using a different kind of snail.
Golden Apple Snails: An Invasive Species
Today, Ginataang kuhol often uses golden apple snails. These snails are originally from South America. They are known as an invasive species, which means they spread quickly and can harm local environments. In fact, they are considered one of the "World's Worst Invasive Alien Species"!
Golden apple snails first came to the Philippines between 1982 and 1984. They were brought from farms in Taiwan. People thought they could be a new food source for humans and domestic ducks. However, many of these snails escaped into the wild. Now, they are a big problem for rice fields in the Philippines and other Asian countries. They eat young rice plants, which can cause big problems for farmers.
How Ginataang Kuhol is Made
Making Ginataang kuhol takes a few steps, especially to prepare the snails.
Cleaning the Snails
Before cooking, the apple snails must be cleaned very well. This helps remove any dirt or slime. People usually soak the snails overnight or for several hours. This makes the snails release anything they have eaten. Sometimes, cornstarch or flour is added to the water to help with this cleaning process. After soaking, the snails are rinsed many times, and their shells are cleaned. It's important to get snails from clean water sources. You can also buy canned snails that are already cleaned.
Cooking the Dish
You can cook the apple snails with their shells on or without them. If you keep the shells, the very tip is snipped off. This helps the snails cook better and makes it easier to get the meat out.
To cook the dish, first, garlic, onion, and ginger are lightly fried until they smell good. Then, the snails are added and cooked for about a minute. After that, thin coconut milk and other spices are added. The mixture simmers on low heat for about ten minutes. Finally, the leafy vegetables are added. Sometimes, thicker coconut cream is also added for a richer sauce. The dish is ready when the sauce becomes thick. Some people like to add lime, butter, or shallots to their cooked snails for extra flavor.
