WATER SNAIL STEW

5 lbs. Fresh Water snails
1-2 stalk of lemongrass
2-3 fresh or dried chili peppers
3 tbs. soaked glutinous rice
2 tbs. Tamarind paste or 1 tbs. powder
1 bunch pak itho
1 bunch pak sanang
padek, fish sauce, msg, salt and sugar to taste

Repeatedly soak and wash snails for a couple days. Prepare snails by chipping off ends slightly. Put in a large pot. Add water half-way up to the snails and bring to a boil with the lemongrass cut up into hand length pieces. Packaged shelled snail meat can be substituted for fresh water snails.

In a mortar, pound the peppers and soaked rice into a paste. Add it to the pot once it reaches a boil. Add salt, sugar, msg, padek, and tamarind paste or powder. Add herbs and boil gently until caps of snails pop. Add more seasonings according to taste.

Can also add your choice of squash. Add it at the same time as the herbs and cook until tender.