EGGS!

dear shoppers,

Since I became involved with farmer's markets, eggs have changed their status in my household. To be honest, we never gave eggs much thought. Of course, my kids were younger then, but, still, when we ate our soft-boiled eggs, the choice of egg cup (we have quite a collection amassed by my parents in France) or the toasted baguette "soldiers" were far more interesting to them than the actual egg.  Supermarket eggs were,well, unremarkable.
Now that we eat eggs that were collected the day they were laid from happy, healthy hens my kids actually beg for eggs for breakfast or dinner. They taste and look that much better. The yolks are so sunny and vibrant, the shells so varied in color, the mere cracking of eggs has become a source of joy and entertainment.
At least once a week, we make an omelet for dinner. Often a mushroom omelet using a medley of mushrooms from Madura Farms. Or, this time of year, I like to fill omelets with all the fresh herbs available at the market - chives, tarragon, parsley, chervil...finely minced.

Here's the best news - after years of getting a bad rap for their cholesterol content, eggs are finally in the nutritional driver's seat.

Here are six little-known nutritional benefits of eggs:
1. eggs are high in choline - which is great for brain development and for preserving memory as we age
2. eggs are high in omega 3 fatty acids
3. eggs are effective in treating anemia
4. eggs are nutrient dense
5. eggs are the gold standard in protein
6. an egg a day is actually GOOD for your heart
For more details, check out this "safe eggs" link:
If you bake, you should know that because eggs at the market vary in size it is important to weigh them for baking. Most recipes are based on large eggs. One large egg in its shell weighs 57 grams, about 50 grams sans shell.

Also: Duck eggs (Raghoo Farms has them occasionally) have almost twice the vitamins and minerals as chicken eggs. They are especially high in folate. Unfortunately - they are also higher in cholesterol, so eat them more sparingly.

One last thing - people often balk at the price of eggs at the market. While $5 to  $8 may seem expensive compared to supermarket eggs...consider the fact that you can feed a family of six with one carton of eggs!

Here's a quintessential recipe from Jacques Pepin for "Omelette aux Fines Herbes"

The following vendors sell eggs at the market:
Raghoo Farm
Wright's Apple Farm (they sell them in pretty pink cartons)
Gaia's Breath Farm
Madura Farms
Orchards of Concklin Roaming Angus

See you at the market!

Pascale

UncategorizedPascale