Characteristics and composition of ostrich eggs, methods of preparation

Weight, size and color

What it looks like, photo:

Eggs vary in shape, size, weight, structure and shell porosity. An ostrich egg is oval, with a glossy, porcelain-like shell and hundreds of pores.

It is distinguished by its gigantic dimensions, its parameters are 13 by 16 cm. And the weight of one copy can reach from 1200-2000 g, which is equivalent to 24 chickens.

The shell can be pearly white or cream in color. However, there are also exotic colors, it depends on the breed of ostrich. For example, the rhea ostrich lays yellow eggs, the white-gray ostrich lays a yellow-pink hue, and the emu lays green eggs.

Only unfertilized eggs obtained from young females are used for food!

Cutlets

Perhaps the most delicious chicken dish is cutlets. Meat

Ostrich cooks even faster than chicken, so perhaps the cutlets turn out to be tastier and juicier than traditional ones.

So, take the meat, chop it (you can just chop it), add salt, pepper or other spices to taste, one egg and chopped onion. Roll in breading and place in a frying pan. Fry until golden brown.

Nutritional characteristics and composition

The composition of an ostrich egg is practically no different from other birds. The lipid and protein content is close to that of a chicken product, but the calorie content is low, only 118 kcal per 100 g.

Due to its enormous size, one egg is a real storehouse of nutrients.

It contains:

• vitamin A - 19.5 mcg/g;
• carotenoids - 36.6 µg/g;
• vitamin E - 116.5 mcg/g.

The product also includes:

• iron;
• zinc;
• selenium;
• magnesium;
• calcium;
• manganese;
• phosphorus.

In addition, they are superior to chicken in the content of lysine, threonine and amino acids. But there is no sodium at all.

The nutritional value

Content of proteins, fats and carbohydrates per 100 g of product:

An egg weighing 1600 g contains about 1000 g of protein and 320 g of yolk.

Features of ostrich eggs

The cost of such a delicacy is very high. You won't be able to buy it in a supermarket, but you can order it from an ostrich farm. Good specimens go into the incubator, and only these categories go up for sale:

• late or early;
• demolished by young representatives of the species;
• unfertilized.

Appearance

The average specimen reaches twenty centimeters and can weigh up to 1700 g. Due to its distinctive dimensions, an ostrich egg takes 8-9 times longer to cook than a chicken egg.

The shell resembles porcelain, thick, strong and with a slight texture. It is used for carving. There are dark green specimens from Emu ostriches (some are almost black) and pink-yellow specimens from the Nandu species.

Regardless of the type and external features, they all have almost the same taste. Cooking takes the same amount of time after boiling. Similar to chicken, but the aroma and taste are more pronounced.

Dishes with exotic ingredients have a rich aftertaste. You can cook it at home or try the dish in a restaurant or cafe.

Beneficial features

A storehouse of vitamins and microelements. Regular consumption is a practice for heart and vascular diseases. Contains in large quantities:

Regardless of whether the ostrich egg is boiled, fried or baked, its beneficial properties are not lost. Experts recommend limiting consumption for obese people (in addition to protein, the composition contains a lot of fat). Prohibited for consumption by those who have allergic reactions to chicken protein or yolk.

Energy and nutritional value

It differs in nutritional value and is equivalent to 35 chicken. Small specimens are equal to 20. 100 g of product contains 115 kcal, so the product is considered dietary. Additionally, per 100 g, 0.7 g of carbohydrates, 12 g of proteins and 11 g of fat are calculated.

Benefits and harms

The constant interest of buyers is aroused not only by the volume, but, above all, by its beneficial natural properties.

The benefits are due to its vitamin and mineral composition and the ideal ratio of BZHU (proteins, fats, carbohydrates).

In general, the product has the following beneficial effects on the body:

• strengthens the cardiovascular system;
• improves vision;
• promotes muscle building;
• improves the general condition of hair, nails and skin.

Danger of use

Eating this delicacy, in addition to its beneficial properties, also carries certain dangers:

• People who are allergic to chicken eggs should avoid consuming the ostrich equivalent, as they are more likely to have an allergic reaction to this product;
• It is recommended to consume them in limited quantities due to their high fat content; the introduction of ostrich eggs into the daily diet can lead to blockage of blood vessels;
• It is prohibited for use by people with individual intolerance to eggs;
• There is a risk of infection with salmonellosis, since ostriches are susceptible to this disease, it is recommended to heat the product to eliminate the risk of infection.

If the keeping of birds complies with all rules and sanitary standards, then infection of ostriches with salmonella is impossible.

Main advantages

Low in cholesterol and saturated fat

If you compare 1 chicken egg and an equivalent amount of ostrich, it turns out that both products contain the same amount of fat - approximately 5 g. Meanwhile, the calorie content of ostrich fat is slightly lower. In addition, the ostrich product is completely free of saturated fats, of which chicken contains about 2 g. But perhaps the most important argument in favor of ostrich eggs is their extremely low cholesterol content. If a chicken product contains 211 mg of cholesterol (approximately 70% of the daily value), then an equivalent serving of ostrich contains only 11 mg, which corresponds to 4% of the allowed limit.

Protein source

The body of an adult male requires approximately 56 g of protein daily. For women, the norm is about 46 g. Although an ostrich egg contains slightly less protein than a chicken egg, it still remains an excellent source of proteins. A serving equivalent to 1 chicken egg will provide about 10% of your daily protein requirement. In addition, the balanced composition of amino acids makes it a so-called “complete” protein. Unlike other poultry eggs, the ostrich product contains more threonine and lysine, but slightly less alanine.

How to choose an egg and evaluate its freshness?

Since an ostrich egg is an expensive product, it is important to be able to choose correctly and evaluate its freshness.

Please consider the following when purchasing:

• It is recommended to buy the product from specialized farms, and it would be useful to ask the owner for product certificates.
• Females lay eggs from April to November; this should be taken into account when purchasing, since eggs purchased in mid-winter or early spring will definitely be of low quality.
• It is not recommended to buy them with traces of bird excrement or damage to the integrity of the shell.
• You can check whether the product is fresh by shaking it a little - there should be no squelching sounds, as aging of the product causes the release of liquid and an increase in the depth of the air chamber.
• Another way to check is to immerse it in brine. The fresh product will sink to the bottom of the dish.

How to cook?

Buying an “overseas bird” egg is half the battle. But to break and cook it, you also need to have special knowledge.

How to break it correctly?

There are several ways:

1. Find the blunt side of the egg and place a knife with a pointed tip in the center. Lightly tapping it with a hammer marks a hole. Use a knife to widen the hole until a tube can be inserted into it. A tube is inserted and passed up and down to break the membrane. Turn the egg with the hole down over the dish and blow into the tube. The contents, pushed out by the air entering the shell, will spill into the dish.
2. The egg is placed on its side in a plate for stability. Using a drill, supporting it with one hand, make a hole closer to the top. Having made a sufficient hole, place a long wooden stick in it and mix the contents. Pour it into a container.
3. Tap the center of the blunt side with the handle of a knife. When a crack appears, they begin to break off pieces of the shell until there is a hole large enough to remove the contents.
4. If it is necessary to keep the yolk intact, make a wide hole. Using a small saw, file the top of the egg around the circumference. Carefully remove the top part of the shell and open the shell. The contents with the whole yolk are poured into a container.

How to separate the white from the yolk?

If it is necessary to separate the white from the yolk, the egg should be broken into two halves.

But this is not as easy to do as with chicken. Using a hammer, small dents are made along the equatorial circumference, then the shell is cut with a knife along the marked line.

A serrated electric knife, which can handle thick shells, is perfect for these purposes.

Cooking options

Ostrich eggs are used in cooking in the same way as chicken eggs. They taste a little sweeter than the chicken equivalent. It is advisable to use them where a large quantity is needed, for example, chicken eggs.

So, they are used to make meringues, biscuits or custards.

They make omelettes, scrambled eggs, and boiled ostrich eggs are added to salads, toppings, or simply placed in slices on a sandwich.

To get a soft-boiled egg, it takes about 45 minutes to cook, and for a hard-boiled egg, it takes about 60 minutes!

Portuguese omelette recipe

To prepare a delicious dish you will need:

• ostrich egg - 1 pc.;
• tomatoes - 5 pcs.;
• young zucchini - 2 pcs. (small);
• grated cheese - 100 g;
• vegetable oil for frying;
• tomato sauce, spices, herbs - to taste.

Preparation:

1. Beat the egg and pour into a large preheated frying pan;
2. Fry the product, periodically lifting the edges;
3. Chop the tomatoes and zucchini, fry them in another frying pan in vegetable oil;
4. Place vegetables on egg and wrap;
5. Sprinkle with cheese, herbs and spices to taste, you can also add tomato paste.

The dish is ready.

In some European countries, ostrich eggs are prepared for Easter in the following way: the shell is opened on top, the contents are mixed and baked for half an hour in the oven.

Preparation

Ostrich eggs cannot be found in a regular supermarket or grocery store. They are ordered from farms. After the purchase, the question of preparation arises.

If the housewife is preparing a delicacy for the first time, she may be confused. After all, it is not so easy to break it and extract the contents. In restaurants, they use a special knitting needle for this.

Processing before cooking

Before cooking, the product is thoroughly washed, dirt is removed, and wiped dry. Then they punch a hole in the bottom and in the top, and pierce the film of white and yolk with a thin knife. Blow out the contents.

You can make a hole using a drill. A saw will help to leave the yolk intact (saw along the entire circumference). Carefully remove the shell and pierce the shell.

What can you cook

A soft-boiled egg is served with vegetables or used as an ingredient for a hot salad. Hard boil for 70 minutes from the start of boiling.

Serve sliced ​​as a single dish or salad ingredient. Cooking retains the maximum number of beneficial properties. Unlike frying, the dish turns out to be less caloric.

Fried eggs are the easiest to prepare. Pour oil into a heated frying pan, followed by the egg mixture. But more often it is prepared in the form of an omelet.

Then you will additionally need milk, herbs and vegetables. It is not recommended to serve it with protein-rich meat, as the meal will be too heavy for the body.

Baking ostrich eggs is suitable for making a savory cream. Beat the mixture, distribute into molds and place in an oven preheated to 180 degrees. Remove after 20 minutes.

Add spices or grate goat cheese on top. Serve this cream with fresh vegetables, herbs or cold salad.

Recipe

The most popular egg dish is omelet. Before cooking, the product is washed and cleaned of contaminants. Make two holes and tear the film of white and yolk with a knitting needle or knife. They will invent the content.

Wash and chop a large tomato and two bell peppers. Place a frying pan on the fire and add oil. Vegetables are fried in oil, then the egg mixture is poured. Add salt, spices and herbs. Cover with a lid and reduce heat.

Remove from heat when ready. One egg is enough to prepare a meal for the whole family. The omelette can also be prepared in the oven in a silicone mold. This will reduce calories.

Storage

The optimal storage temperature is 0…+8°C. A product with an intact shell can be stored at this temperature for 3 months and will not lose its beneficial properties.

If the contents were removed but not used immediately, you can put the leftovers in the refrigerator; in this form, the product can be stored for 2-3 days. But not longer!

How is the reproductive system of ostriches different?

Female African ostriches begin laying eggs at the age of 2-3 years. In one nest, 8-10 embryos are “prepared” for incubation. The development of embryos takes from one and a half to two months.

Bird families include up to 4-5 females per male, less often they are monogamous. Individuals of the African ostrich have well-expressed sexual dimorphism; during the breeding season, males actively display, dancing in front of females and flapping their wings.

Males of this species become sexually mature at 4-5 years of age. They actively participate in the preparation of nests, and when the first embryo appears in the clutch, they demonstrate joy, pride and their own power.

When does a bird lay eggs?

The mating season of the African ostrich occurs at the beginning of spring. At this time, males actively compete, fighting among themselves for the right to form a family. After filling the clutches, they equally share with the females the responsibilities of incubating future chicks, spending a sufficient amount of time in the nests.

During the day, the chicks bask under the females; at this time, the males stand on the sidelines, protecting the family.

Sometimes during daylight hours, embryos survive only due to solar radiation. At night, male birds do the incubation.

What are the conditions for achieving success in ostrich breeding?

The hybrid form of the black African ostrich, Struthio camelus domesticus, is most suitable for breeding at home.

• In the southern regions, adult birds easily tolerate summer heat and winter cold down to –25 °C.
• To grow it in the middle zone, you will need to organize additional heating of the premises.
• During the warm season, birds are kept in pens on extensive pastures.
• The ostrich requires careful attention and control, otherwise the eggs will end up in the most inappropriate places and will be lost.
• The diet of ostriches is not very different from the diet of other farm birds. They digest well roughage, rich in cellulose, and willingly eat hay in winter.

Keeping ostriches is a dangerous business. The bird is capable of killing a person with one kick, does not like strangers, but usually does not show aggression towards its owners.

To intensify the production of embryos, it is necessary to promptly remove eggs from the clutches; incubation is carried out artificially. Young individuals are raised without the participation of their parents.

To store egg products, premises with an air temperature of 8 to 12 °C and a relative humidity of about 60% are required. Embryos are periodically rotated around an axis using pre-prepared movable shelves with trays.

Price, where to buy?

The average cost ranges from 800-2000 rubles, depending on weight.

Today, buying ostrich eggs is common. You can purchase the product in specialized stores, on farms or order it online.

Here are a few places to buy good quality ostrich eggs:

1. Private farms that specialize in breeding ostriches are the best place to buy. For example, the Russian Ostrich farm, which is located in the Moscow region, is one of the largest ostrich farms today. On the farm's website you can see the range of products; they offer table eggs, empty or decorated shells. You must inquire about delivery by calling the phone numbers provided on the website.
2. The Ostrichland farm is no less famous among fans of the delicacy ; it delivers table ostrich eggs throughout Moscow and the Moscow region. In addition, it offers various natural products for sale, and also conducts tours of the ostrich ranch.
3. Food stores. Not many grocery stores carry ostrich eggs, but there are a few places where you can find the product. For example, the Azbuka Vkusa supermarket chain not only sells eggs, but also delivers throughout Moscow and the Moscow region and is a trusted supplier.

Hatching

At the first signs of hatching, the humidity in the incubator is increased to 50-60%, the temperature is increased by 0.5 ° C at minimum load, or reduced to the same extent at maximum. Such conditions help soften the shell, which makes it easier for the chicks to emerge.

You should not interfere with the hatching process. It is especially dangerous to do this at the stage when the chick is covered with membranes. Its separation threatens serious bleeding and death.

If the baby ostrich is in the wrong position inside the egg and is unable to get out, then you can carefully lengthen the break line of the shell.

The hatching of chicks usually occurs amicably. They break the hard shell with their feet - the egg tooth is missing. The umbilical cord of the hatched chicks is disinfected (manipulations are carried out over several days). Everyone is weighed for subsequent development monitoring. Chicks are born sighted. They are covered with thick warm fluff, which protects against hypothermia.

How to use the shell?

Although the shell of an ostrich egg is thin, only 2-5 mm, it can withstand a load of about 120 kg, it is an extremely strong and durable material that can be used for various purposes.

Thus, the use of shells for making unusual souvenirs is due to its durability and beauty.

It is used as a basis for delightful carved boxes, interior decorations, and the empty shell, from which the contents have been blown out, but which has retained the shape of an egg, is used in itself as a souvenir or decorated with paintings or complex decor.

More recently, a new type of art has appeared, although not very widespread - shell carving, and exclusively ostrich eggs are used for this. Masters create lace and openwork patterns, and sometimes even create entire paintings.

But in the desert, the shell is a valuable find, as it is used as cutlery, because such a “bowl” can hold up to a liter of liquid.

Since the shell is rich in calcium, it is used as a fertilizer or food additive, after being crushed.

Risk of embryonic mortality

Embryonic mortality in ostriches reaches 18-22%. Death occurs due to microbial damage. The shell is devoid of a cuticle - nothing prevents pathogenic microflora from penetrating inside. Under natural conditions, dry hot sand prevents infection - due to the thermal effect, the viability of microbes is reduced to a minimum. In Europe, the humidity is higher and the temperature is lower than in Africa, so special measures have to be taken. To prevent embryo contamination:

• keep nests clean;
• the bottom is covered with clean calcined sand;
• eggs are collected daily, immediately after oviposition;
• Incubation material must be disinfected.

Interesting Facts

Here are some interesting facts about ostrich eggs:

• ostrich eggs are the largest in the world, the largest was discovered in China, its weight was more than 2 kg and its diameter was 18.6 centimeters;
• a female ostrich can lay 40-80 eggs in one season;
• You can make scrambled eggs from one egg and feed 10 people;
• males incubate eggs at night, and females during the day;
• Recently, it has become popular to paint ostrich eggs for Easter; they make interesting and unusual “colors”;
• ostriches in one nest can hatch up to 25 eggs at the same time;
• for comparison, the shell thickness of a chicken egg is only 0.3-0.4 mm, that of a goose egg is 0.55 mm, and ostrich eggs are also record holders here with a shell thickness of 2-2.55 mm.

Omelette or scrambled eggs? from OSTRICH EGG.

An average ostrich egg weighs about one and a half kilograms and can feed about 15 people. Ostrich eggs are similar in taste to chicken eggs and can be used to make scrambled eggs and omelettes, add them to baked goods and salads, but before you get to the contents, you must break the shell, which is similar to thin ceramics and reaches a thickness of 30 mm.

The white of ostrich eggs is very dense and when fried it turns out tough. Therefore, we will not cook an omelet, but scrambled eggs.

Difference between scrambled eggs and omelet

It is known that busy people do not like to spend a lot of time creating culinary masterpieces. It’s much easier for them to prepare a simple, delicious breakfast in five minutes than to hang around the stove for a good half hour, conjuring over a healthy and nutritious meal. That is why a person who values ​​his time always has an impressive supply of eggs in his refrigerator. This product serves as the basis for a huge number of dishes, two of which are especially popular all over the world.

Omelette

- a dish made from beaten eggs, cooked in a frying pan. Its recipe came to us from French cuisine. Interestingly, in the dish’s ancestor country, the omelette is prepared without adding additional ingredients. The beaten eggs are fried on one side until completely thickened. Before serving, the omelet is folded in half or rolled into a tube. If desired, you can fill it with various additives. Almost every country has its own version of omelet. Take, for example, Spanish tortilla, Italian frittata, Russian masturbation. In Japanese and Indonesian cuisines, it is common to prepare dishes filled with rice or noodles.

Fried eggs

- a dish of European cuisine, which is cooked in a frying pan from broken eggs. Has several varieties. So, in scrambled eggs the yolk is mixed with the white, but in fried eggs it remains intact. In Ireland and Great Britain, scrambled eggs and bacon are considered a traditional breakfast. A Spanish variation called huevos is served on flatbread.

The main difference between the dishes is the recipe for their preparation. In the case of scrambled eggs, the product is either immediately broken into the pan or lightly mixed beforehand. An omelet involves adding liquid: water, milk or cream. Often, to give the food additional thickness, a little flour or fine grain is poured into it. Next, the mixture is whipped until foam forms and poured into a frying pan heated with oil.

Another difference between an omelet and scrambled eggs is that the first dish is usually cooked covered. Then it turns out especially lush. To cook scrambled eggs, you do not need to cover the pan with a lid.

Fried eggs and omelettes from ostrich eggs are prepared in the same way as from a large number of chicken eggs. It is advisable to use an ostrich egg in dishes that require a large number of chicken eggs, for example, in custard, meringue or biscuits. In order to make a spicy cream from one ostrich egg, you will need: - 200 gr. cream 20% fat; — 120 grams of cheese; - 1 tablespoon of chopped herbs (dill, parsley, thyme); - 1 teaspoon ground chili pepper; - salt.

More details: see VIDEO recipe » EGG in a FRYING PAN. HOME RECIPE

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