Why are eggs different colors? If you get eggs from us, you know that our flock lay different color eggs: brown, white, light blue and light green. Recently we talked to some NYC school children about our farm, and our eggs, and so many children were surprised by the color of our eggs! Of course, our chickens lay different color eggs because they are all different kinds of breeds. The Aracaunas and Americanas lay the bluish and greenish ones; Americanas are often called “easter egg” chickens because of the color of their eggs. The Pearl-White Leghorn and Anconas lay the white eggs, and the Buff Orpingtons, Rhode Island Red and Barred Rock lay varying colors of brown eggs. The eggs all taste the same—amazingly delicious, if we don’t say so ourselves—regardless of the color. We don’t dye our eggs this time of year—the chickens have already done it for us!
Even though we don’t dye our eggs, Easter is still a big time for us. Laura’s mother comes to visit to ensure that our Italian Pasqua, or Easter, traditions are honored. Two of the things we most look forward to are the roasted lamb she makes, with garlic and herbs, and her special Pastiera Napoletana (grain pie), a traditional wheat pie originating in Napoli. Nonna loves the rich color our egg yolks give the wheat pie, the eggs being a symbol of renewal for this traditional dessert. Here she is preparing the grain pie in our farmhouse. She never uses a recipe, or measures a thing. It’s in her blood.
Here is a link to a recipe.
The signs of renewal are all around the farm now, and we can smell the soil and see the signs of spring everywhere. It won’t be long before green covers the orchard!
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