Ostrich egg: weight, size, comparison with a chicken egg, cooking options

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Eggs differ in shape, size, color, as well as other indicators that depend on the type of bird, its conditions and place of laying. Of course, the ostrich stands out against the general background, from which farmers receive not only meat and feathers. The price of an ostrich egg can "bite". This is due to the fact that most of them are sent to incubators for further breeding. For table purposes, unfertilized eggs laid by young females are used.

Description

Ostrich eggs come in only two colors. Dark emus bear deep green, almost black; white-gray nandu - yellow-pink. Thus, the color of the shell directly depends on the color of the female.

The contents of an ostrich egg are almost no different from the usual. The protein is transparent, the yolk is orange (the intensity of the color depends on how long the female has been onoutdoors and got vitamin D from sunlight).

Ostrich rush from March to October. In total, one female gives from 40 to 80 eggs. At the beginning of the season, the clutch is replenished every other day. Upon reaching about two dozen, the ostrich takes a break, after which it resumes wearing. During the breeding season, most of the eggs are fertilized, and only 10% at the beginning or end of the season may be infertile.

In general, ostriches are he althy birds. One pair can breed for 30 years. Therefore, farmers began to value them dearly: a one-time expenditure on one male and one female can provide a profit for several decades to come.

The weight of an ostrich egg ranges from 500 grams to 2 kilograms. Moreover, the main part of the mass falls precisely on the contents, since the shell is very light, but strong. This quality made it a favorite material for engraving and painting. Many artists even compare ostrich shells to porcelain.

Useful properties

An ostrich egg weighing 1.5 kg can contain up to 1000 g of protein and 320 g of yolk. And that means a decent dose of nutrients. In comparison with the eggs of the poultry we are used to, ostrich eggs are more dietary, and also act as absolute record holders for the content of selenium and sodium. They are rich in amino acids, minerals, vitamins and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Those who are interested in how many chicken eggs are in an ostrich egg will be interested to know that the ratiois approximately 40:1.

Of course, one cannot fail to note the large size of ostrich eggs. From one such "testicle" you can cook an omelette for 10 people. Which, by the way, has long been done in Polish restaurants. In size, this dish can be comparable to a large pizza. If the invasion of guests is postponed, the ostrich egg can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 6 months (if there is no damage to the shell) or simply cooked in portions, storing the leftovers in a tightly closed container (no more than 3 days). In addition, the ostrich egg has a strong taste, so adding it to pastries can add some variety to our usual dishes.

Flaws

Ostrich egg may not be digested if a person has an intolerance to the substances contained in it. Children are especially prone to allergic reactions. Therefore, if you find yourself or your child with a rash on the skin, if there are signs of a malfunction of the digestive system, it is better to refuse this product.

It should be remembered that cholesterol has a relatively low proportion in ostrich eggs, but this does not mean that they can be abused. An excess of cholesterol is harmful to blood vessels. Measure is important in everything.

Another disadvantage is the difficulty of opening. Breaking the shell in the same way as a simple chicken will not work.

Energy value

The figures below are relative and may vary depending on the weight of the ostrich egg.

Calories	120 kcal
Proteins	15g
Fats	31g
Carbohydrates	0.7 g
Water	52g
Ash	0.9g
Beta-carotene	37mg
Vitamin E	117 mg
Phosphorus	1, 080mg
Sodium	3, 03mg
Calcium	0, 30mg

Do ostrich eggs eat?

Perhaps, many residents of Russia may ask a similar question. Ostriches have long been bred in Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East. In total, about 50 countries of the world have such an industry as ostrich breeding. Despite the fact that, in our understanding, an ostrich egg dish is exotic, relatively recently, specialized farms began to appear in Russia. Therefore, if you want to purchase this product, you should contact it there. It makes no sense to look for such a curiosity in stores and markets.

What is prepared from ostrich eggs? In general, they can be eaten in the same way as ordinary poultry products: boiled, fried, baked. The only difference is that one ostrich egg can feed a group of ten people. In restaurants they are loved for a decent size. When several waiters bring a giant scrambled egg into the hall, it's an amusing sight

The taste of ostrich eggs resembles chicken, but is more piquant. Because in South Africa they like to add it tobaking.

How to buy?

To buy an ostrich egg, it makes sense to contact farms that specialize in breeding this bird. The price of an ostrich egg (table) is about 1000 rubles. It can be more or less. It all depends on the weight of the product.

How to get to the content?

You need some cunning to open an ostrich egg. Since the shell is very strong, breaking it in the usual way will not work. As a rule, two holes are made in it (at the top and at the base) with a special tool, which is a curved twisted knitting needle. Break the yolk directly inside the egg so that it mixes with the protein. After that, the resulting mixture is blown into a previously prepared container (just exhale into the upper hole so that the contents pour out through the lower one). Thus, it will not work to cook fried eggs from an ostrich egg. It is usually used to make omelettes.

However, there is another way invented by an unknown savvy Russian man: just saw through the shell with a hacksaw.

Can you eat an egg with blood?

If there is not a lot of blood impurities inside, then it will not hurt your he alth. However, such food is still not very good. The presence of a blood cell inside means that the egg has already been fertilized, and this is a violation of production technology. The same applies not only to ostrich eggs, but also to products from other birds. This should not be on sale.

How to cook an ostrich egg

Offerseveral options for serving this delicacy.

Cooking

It will take at least 70 minutes to get hard boiled. If you are a connoisseur of other methods, you will need to carefully monitor the time. Let's start with how much soft-boiled ostrich egg is boiled? It takes about 45 minutes to do this. If you keep it in boiling water for a little less, about 35 minutes, you will get the classic "in a bag". It will take no more than 20 minutes to poach.

Scrambled eggs

Ingredients: ostrich egg (1 piece), ham (150 grams), butter (2 tablespoons), green onions (1 bunch), paprika (1 teaspoon), pepper and s alt (to taste).

Cooking:

1. Wash and chop the onion. Divide into 2 parts.
2. Chop the ham into bars.
3. Add onion and ham to bowl with egg, mix (milk can be added to taste).
4. Put the resulting mixture in an oven preheated to 170 ° C (the omelette mold must first be greased with oil). Bake until all liquids have evaporated.

Sprinkle the finished omelette with the second half of the chopped onion.

Portuguese omelette

Ingredients: ostrich egg (1 piece), tomatoes (5 pieces), zucchini (500 grams), hard cheese (to taste), tomato sauce (to taste), spices and herbs (to taste).

Cooking:

1. Pour the egg into a large hot frying pan. Fry, periodically lifting the edges.
2. Cut tomatoes and zucchini, fry in oil in another pan.
3. Vegetable mixspread over an ostrich egg, wrap the omelet in a roll.

Pour the finished dish with tomato sauce, sprinkle with grated cheese, herbs and spices.

Ostrich egg salad

Ingredients: 1 ostrich egg, butter (to taste), creamy mustard sauce (to taste), radish (for garnish), lettuce (leaves, for garnish).

Cooking:

1. Hardboil an ostrich egg, let cool, peel, cut into rings.
2. Grease each ring with butter (like a regular sandwich).

"Sandwiches" stacked on a plate, pour sauce and garnish with vegetables.

Ostrich meringue

Ingredients: ostrich egg (1 piece), cream (2 liters), cheese (200 grams), herbs (tablespoon), ground chili pepper (to taste), s alt (to taste).

Cooking:

1. Make 2 holes in an ostrich egg, blow the contents into a bowl and beat until smooth.
2. Add herbs, cream, s alt, chili and finely grated cheese. Stir again.
3. Pour the resulting mixture onto a baking sheet, cover well with foil and send to a preheated oven.

After 20 minutes, remove the baking sheet, remove the foil and put the dish back in the oven. Bake until tender.

Here it is, an ostrich egg: a bit shocking in its size, but capable of replacing our usual chicken.