SNAILS INVADE LA MESA

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By Shelly Trails

April 1, 2014 (La Mesa) –  La Mesa is gearing up for the unveiling of its Centennial Legacy Project – larger than life snail sculptures honoring the area’s species of  snails  (Helix aspersa) for which Mt. Helix was named.  But that’s not all.  Now a local entrepreneur has announced that she will launch “Escargot To Go,” a culinary delivery service specializing in farm-raised snails served up in buttery French tradition. (click "read more" below to read the full story.)

“Snails are ze perfect choice for farming in urban areas,” says Merci Beaucoup, a French immigrant who now raises all of her escargot “livestock” in her own  small backyard just one block from La Mesa’s downtown village, where she has opened up a storefront for her delivery service.  “Ze snails take up very little space,” she explains. “They are not noisy neighbors, and they eat everything—even weeds! Though ours are fed an entirely organic diet with lots of garlic for added flavor,” she explained. “They are also very prolific. Did you know that a single female can lay up to 480 eggs each year?”

Her service will deliver escargot to homes across East County in a fleet of customized “snail mobiles.”   For customers in a rush to send packages or documents across town, Beaucoup also plans to offer a sideline “snail mail” delivery service.

Next up, Beaucoup says she’s gearing up next to offer a creative twist on those popular rubber duck and frog races.

“It is important for our snails to get their exercise, so we will also be announcing launch of our first annual  Village Snail Race.” 

It’s not exactly an action sport, she concedes, and watching those snails cross the finish line will take patience.  But the Escargot To Go proprietor concludes, “We believe that like fine wines, ze best things in life are worth a wait.  Bon appétit!”

Happy April Fool's Day!  Read more special April 1 "breaking news" stories by clicking here.

 


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