The Incredible, Edible Egg

When I was leaving the Bed and Breakfast this past weekend, the owner was holding a carton of eggs and was asking each of us if we wanted to buy a dozen.  "Fresh from this week, $4 each" she proudly and politely offered.  Without even thinking, I dug 4 singles out of my pocket and handed over the cash.  After all, I love eggs and I knew I was running low.  "Why not get them here?" I thought to myself.  "Save me a trip to the store and fresher is supposed to be better, right?" I rationalized.  I didn't think too much of it and went on with my day.

This evening went I got home from work, I flung open the fridge and rummaged around, scrounging for dinner.  Not being overly starving, I reached for the makings of my default, lazy, not-overly starving meal, the messy omelet.  Not thinking twice, I lifted the lid on the carton of eggs and immediately knew that these eggs were different.

Fresh off the farm eggs

For starters, there were a couple strands of straw weaving through the pale brown eggs and a small little feather still attached.  My inner city girl was at once kind of grossed out by feathers decorating this evening's dinner but then my inner food geek seemed to speak up and ask that skeptical city gal to hang on a sec and give these eggs a try.   Man, I'm glad I listened to the food geek, these eggs were outstanding and like nothing else I've ever tasted.  The were softer, fluffier and so naturally flavorful than my usual store bought eggs.  They yield a tender, velvety and buttery flavor (without the actual addition of butter).  Not to mention, once scrambled, they were a the most beautiful shade of yellow; intensely bright, yet still subtle and pale at the same time.

See the feather?

I don't usually like to repeat recipes or meals unless there is some crazy variation but the story of the messy omelet made with local eggs (fresh this week!) just begged to be told and a lesson to be learned: If you're ever offered fresh eggs, buy them.  Don't think twice about it or rationalize about a premium cost, just buy them.  Once you get them home, do not bake with them because if you do that, you won't be able to appreciate their true beauty.  Instead, make a dish that is focused on the egg.  Scrambled, over-easy, omelet or sunny-side up (really, whatever style you want) and take a bite.  Close your eyes.  Savor it.  And then vow (like I did) to never eat a store bought egg like this again.  Then rationalize that unfortunately, this is not possible given the fact that you live in a city.  Instead, settle for hunting down farm fresh eggs whenever you can and seek them out.  Then go about enjoying your incredible, edible eggs.

Fresh egg and veggie scramble