What is escargo?

Escargot is a dish made of cooked land snails. It is a popular delicacy in French cuisine and is usually served as an appetizer. The edible snails used for escargot are mostly Helix aspersa or Helix pomatia species. The snails are typically fed a special diet to improve their flavor before being purged and de-shelled. The snail meat is then cooked in a variety of ways and served with garlic and butter or other seasonings. Escargot is considered a delicacy and is often served in high-end restaurants. It is also available for purchase in gourmet food stores and online.