Ostrich egg: beneficial properties, how to cook

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Hairspray “Professionnelle”, extra strong hold, 500 ml

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Currently, there is a huge variety of products on store shelves. You can find both ordinary products and rare ones that are not so often found on the table of the average family; ostrich eggs also belong to this category of products. Of course, such eggs are not a cheap pleasure. Its price is several times higher than the cost of chicken eggs. But the weight is also quite large - at least 2 kilograms. This is equivalent to how much 25 to 36 regular chicken eggs weigh. Ostrich eggs are simply a storehouse of useful substances; they contain proteins, fats, phosphorus, potassium and calcium. Ostrich eggs contain record amounts of selenium and sodium. At the same time, there is practically no cholesterol and fat, which is why they are used as a dietary product; the calorie content per 100 grams of the product is only 160 calories. From just one such egg you can prepare a dish for a large company; the list of dishes made from such eggs is just as impressive, although it should be noted that many note the unique taste of the product. The shell of ostrich eggs is strong and very difficult to break. The undeniable advantages include the possibility of long-term storage of these eggs. It can keep in the refrigerator in a sealed container for 2-3 days. In its entirety, it can be stored for three months.

Description of appearance

There is a wide variety of ostrich breeds. This differentiates the eggs laid by females. In particular, this concerns the color of the shell. It comes in yellow, pink and other shades. The exotic color of the shells of eggs laid by the Emu ostrich. Green color dominates here.

The usual shape is oval. The shell is smooth to the touch, despite hundreds of small pores. In terms of strength and sound from light blows, the shell resembles thin porcelain. The sizes are usually gigantic, can reach a width of 13 cm, a length of 16 cm. The weight of one specimen varies from 1.2 to 2 kg. This is equivalent to approximately 24 chicken eggs.

Important! Only eggs from young ostriches are suitable for consumption. They must be unfertilized by the male.

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.

Calorie content, nutritional value, composition

The composition of ostrich and chicken products is almost identical. In particular, this concerns the content of lipids and proteins. However, the calorie content of the ostrich product is low; it is a maximum of 118 kcal per 100 g. The content of vitamins and minerals is increased, but again achieved due to the increased size of the protein and yolk. Of the main useful elements, 1 g of the product contains:

• carotenoids – 36.6 mcg;
• vitamin E – 116.5 mcg;
• vitamin A – 19.5 mcg.

It contains a lot of iron, phosphorus, magnesium and other useful substances. Compared to the chicken product, the norm of amino acids, lysine, and threonine is increased.

Important! The ostrich product does not contain sodium.

As for nutritional value, 100 g of product has 12.5 g of protein, 11.8 g of fat, 0.7 g of carbohydrates. Most of all it contains water - up to 74 g. There is ash in the amount of 1 g.

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.

Benefits and harms

The product is considered a delicacy due to its composition. There is a good ratio of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Its regular use contributes to:

• improving vision;
• accelerating muscle growth;
• strengthening the heart and blood vessels;
• improving the structure of hair, skin, nails.

However, instead of being beneficial, an ostrich egg can sometimes cause harm to humans:

1. The product should not be used by people in whom chicken analogues cause allergic reactions. There is a high probability that they will begin to appear in this case as well.
2. Regular use does not mean that the product needs to be eaten daily. This increases the risk of vascular blockage. There is a danger associated with high fat content.
3. The product is contraindicated for people with individual intolerance to it.
4. Ostriches, like chickens, are susceptible to salmonellosis. The disease is dangerous to people. To avoid contamination, the product is consumed only after heat treatment.

See also: Breeding ostriches at home: benefits, productivity and costs

When ostriches are kept in a sanitary manner under the supervision of veterinarians, salmonellosis infection practically does not occur.

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.

Rules for choosing fresh eggs

Eating a stale product risks poisoning. Plus it's expensive. If you do not know how to choose eggs suitable for food, you will have to regret the impressive amount of money spent uselessly. A few recommendations will help you make the right choice:

• If possible, it is better to buy eggs not in the store, but to visit the nearest farm. It’s good when its owner does not refuse to show the certificate.
• The laying of female ostriches lasts from April to November. All eggs received for sale were stored for storage from winter until the end of March. They are guaranteed to be stale. It is impossible to predict their suitability for consumption.
• You should refuse the purchase if mechanical defects or bird excrement are visible on the shell.
• Check the eggs for freshness by lightly shaking them. In this case, there should be no sounds. If you hear squelching sounds, the product is old. This happens as the liquid decreases, and the air chamber acquires greater depth.

At home, you can check the freshness of the egg by immersing it in a vessel with a highly concentrated saline solution. A high-quality specimen will drown completely. The spoiled product will float in the liquid. It will probably not be possible to return it to the store, but the person will protect himself from poisoning.

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.

How to break the shell to get to the contents

There are many recipes for cooking eggs. They are available on the Internet and in cookbooks. However, before you use one of them, you need to get to the contents of the egg. The barrier becomes a durable shell. There are several ways to overcome the obstacle:

1. The egg is placed on a stand vertically with the blunt side up. The tip of a knife with a thick blade is placed in the center. Light blows on the handle make a hole. By turning the tip, they try to expand it. A plastic tube is inserted inside. They push it until the shell breaks through. The egg is turned over with the hole down, and its contents are blown out through a tube over a placed bowl.
2. Similar actions are performed with a drill. A hole is drilled in the side wall, closer to the top. Using a stick, stir the contents and pour them into a bowl.
3. The third method involves striking the shell with a heavy object. Pieces of cracked shells are removed and the contents are reached.
4. To preserve the whole yolk, the top of the egg is sawed off in a circle with a hacksaw blade for metal. After removing part of the shell, remove the inner film. The contents are poured into a cup.

To separate the white from the yolk, proceed exactly as with a chicken egg. The only difficulty is to divide it into two halves. Using the pouring method, the protein is first separated from the cups. It is collected in a separate container. The yolk remains in one of the shell halves.

An ostrich egg is prepared in the same way as a chicken egg. It is used to fry omelettes, use it for baking, making meringues, custards, and add to salads.

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.

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.

Features of an ostrich farm

Ostrich farms are increasingly appearing in central Russia, especially in the central and southern districts. This type of agriculture is popular because ostriches are very unpretentious and do not need a lot of space.

You can get many products from this bird:

• Low cholesterol meat
• Eggs, which are highly prized among gourmets
• Leather, which is highly prized among furriers
• Feathers that have bright decorative properties
• Claws and beak, which are used for the production of decorative items, jewelry and fasteners
• Fat as a raw material for cosmetics

One of the valuable products of an ostrich farm is eggs. Therefore, many novice farmers are often concerned with the question: how often do ostriches lay eggs? On average, a healthy female produces from 60 to 80 eggs per year.

Moreover, females do not lay eggs regularly, but twice a year. The laying lasts 2 months, during which the bird lays one egg every 2 days. During one egg-laying period, an ostrich manages to lay 30-40 eggs.

The cost of one ostrich egg averages 1,500 – 2,000 rubles. Therefore, if you take into account how many eggs an ostrich lays per year, you can calculate the approximate revenue from eggs alone.

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.