Snails farmed by Caracoles del Cadalso, Vallehermoso Market

Ousmane spent 4 years working at Miguel’s snail farm in Cadalso de los Vidrios, before becoming a snail farmer able to win over anyone who so much as glances at his stall. Take away bags of all types of delicious, live snails are available to cook at home or—and why not—try them for the first time with one of the delicious sauces made by Ousmane. Choose from his “Madrileña” sauce (with chorizo, ham, and tomato); white sauce (with herbs, thyme, rosemary, tomato, and pepper); or his favorite, Senegalese soblé. He even makes preserved snails.

A feature of Madrid’s Chamberí neighborhood since 1933, the Vallehermoso Market’s raison d’etre is the same as when it first opened its doors to the public: selling quality products. However, today it does so under a new business model in which customers can not only shop there, but also go out for tapas, lunch, or dinner at one of its many catering outlets.