Ameraucana Eggs from 2 Silos - Eat Local

Alana Shock, from Alana's Food & Wine, first introduced me to these eggs (albeit from a different farmer, who I'll talk about later), whose beauty I can't seem to fully capture no matter how many different settings I try with my camera.  Ameraucana eggs come from a rather proud and stately-looking chicken, which you can view by clicking here.  The eggs range in color from soft blue to a light olive green and have a very rich flavor.  I was waxing poetic about how delicious they were at work the other day and a few coworkers said they thought all eggs tasted the same!?  This is completely untrue.  Taste an average grocery store egg next to a farm fresh egg and you will never believe the difference.  Believe me, even if the delivery truck says "Happy Chicken," those are not happy chickens.

But, I'm willing to bet the chickens at 2 Silos Farms are happy chickens.  2 Silos pastures their organic poultry, which means the chickens receive a portion of their diet in the natural, chicken instinct way - by digging and scratching around, eating seeds and bugs and worms.  And any other stray item that might find its way onto the ground.  Ask anyone whose ever "dressed" a chicken and you will discover some very interesting things about the eating habits of chickens - but I digress.  2 Silos supplies Whole Foods with its specialty eggs, available in the produce section, and they have recently begun supplying Weiland's as well, with about 5-6 variets of eggs in these cool, 1/2 dozen containers.  The Ameraucana eggs were about $2.25 a 1/2 dozen, but the less exciting eggs were about half that price.  You can read more about 2 Silos farm at their website; be sure to read these staggering health-related egg statistics (scroll down).

A note about Ameraucana eggs - they have an unusually firm yolk, naturally.  I tried to poach a few and thought I was crazy until Alana told me she encountered the same thing.  Just so you know when cooking them.

Try them out.  Do the fried egg challenge.  I know you'll be pleasantly surprised, and I'm willing to bet you will never buy an 80 cent dozen of bleak grocery store eggs again.

Comments

[linda Caldwell]

We have a few ameraucana chickens that we allow to freerange. They seem to lay better if they are out more. Is this type of bird supposed to be "free ranging" more so than other types of layers???? Thanks! By the way, the eggs are wonderful!!!!

[cookware]

I definitely agree about farm fresh eggs tasting better, and if you think those eggs are firmer,very good

[Denise Anderson]

Thanks for the great review of our eggs! We are pleased to be able to offer fresh locally raised organic eggs to folks in the Columbus area. We have over 500 happy chickens running around our farm scratching and pecking to their hearts content. Our Ameraucana chickens have been a delight to raise.

We typically package eggs in one dozen recycled paper cartons, but do offer the clear plastic containers as an option for various customers.

You can find us this summer at the Clintonville Farmer's Market each Saturday from 9 to noon selling eggs and other poultry products.

We do raise pastured meat chickens to order, should anyone want organic or all-natural chickens in quantity. We are hosting a farm tour August 12 at our farm and all are invited to attend. Check the OEFFA website for more info.
www.oeffa.org
Thanks again for your support!
Denise

[Becke Boyer]

I love Americanus, but my favorite eggs are guinea hen eggs - they're very small, but very flavorful - 3 of them make a nice little omelette. For some reason, the only place I've found them is at Whole Foods in the summer. They should be getting them again soon.

[David Soliday]

Nice review of 2 Silos eggs. I'll be blessing the flock at their farm tomorrow during the open house. I was searching for their web site when I found your mention of them on your blog. FYI: they also use cardboard cartons. Your photo was the first I'd seen of the plastic half-dozen variety.

[Liz]

Those are such beauties. I swear I'm getting some Ameraucana chickens as soon as I have the space.

I definitely agree about farm fresh eggs tasting better, and if you think those eggs are firmer, you should experience duck eggs! :) (i'm just not too crazy about the plastic packaging. Do they use any regular cartons?)

Glad to meet you via the ELC blog.