Snail tongs

Snail tongs are a small hinged table implement whose hollow jaws match the curve of the shell, holding a snail firm while the guest extracts the flesh with a two-pronged fork. They accompany a dish of Burgundy snails, prepared with parsley butter, and are set at each cover alongside their matching fork. In silver plate or stainless steel, they rank among the specialised utensils of French service, beside the instruments provided for shellfish at the table.