Archive for the ‘Eggs’ Category
Celebrate with Cascarones for Cinco de Mayo
By reading our post on Taco Saturday, you can see a bit of the history of Cinco de Mayo. My favorite part is not the history of the date, but rather the fun and festivities that have come from such a great date including breaking open a piñata, wearing masks, and eating authentic Spanish food. Another great tradition is breaking a cascarone (egg shells in Spanish) filled with confetti over someone’s head. It is meant to bring good luck. In the mid 1800s they usually contained perfumed powder, but it has since evolved into confetti of all types.
To make cascarones, first you need eggs. I would suggest eggs that are not too small to create about a 1/2 inch opening on top and still have room for confetti. A couple days before party time, clean the eggs. Put a hole in one end that is about 1/2 inch wide or so. Drain out the eggs, rinse the inside of the shell, and set aside to dry. Eggs can be used for cooking as they will not be needed. If you choose to dye the eggs, they do not need to be dry first. Just be sure to let eggs dry for about a day after dying them. Children love this craft because they can help decorate. Let the children decorate the eggs with crayons, markers, or paints in really bright colors traditional of Cinco de Mayo. When the eggs are dry and decorated, fill with confetti of your choosing. Use small squares of tissue paper and some glue to cover over the hole in the end of the egg. If you want to hide the tissue paper some then put more glue on the end of the egg and dip into more confetti.
Children will love the fun they have cracking the eggs over each other’s heads! Parents might suggest that kids break the eggs outdoors for easier cleanup.
Mountain Valley View Farm has a large variety of eggs available for sale to make cascarones. Chicken eggs, geese eggs, turkey eggs, and more. Eggs may be purchased at either of our two locations.
Mountain Valley View Farm, 4301 S. Chapman Road, Greenacres, Washington 99016
Spokane Public Market, Booths 48-53, 24 W. 2nd Avenue, Spokane, Washington 99201
Organic Chicken, Duck, and Goose Eggs For Sale This Week at the Spokane Public Market!
Mountain Valley View Farm is selling out fast on all of our delicious, farm fresh organic eggs! Come see us this week at the Spokane Public Market, where you can purchase chicken eggs for just $5.00/dozen. We have over 60 different types of chicken that lay an amazing variety of brown, white, speckled, and colored eggs, including rare Aracauna eggs that have blue and turquoise shells. We also have 12 breeds of duck and 13 breeds of goose that lay eggs for us, and we are planning to add emus, guineas, and turkeys to our flock soon. All of our birds are free range, hormone and antibiotic free, and fed a fresh grain feed that contains no soy or animal bi-products so that you can always be sure you are getting the best quality organic eggs. Come see us at the market!
Spokane Public Market
32 W. 2nd Ave
Spokane, WA 99210
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Thurs – Sat
Benefits of Organic Eggs
Organic eggs are extremely nutritious and contain significantly higher ratios of Vitamins A and E, Omega 3, and beta carotene than commercially produced eggs. They are also lower in cholesterol and saturated fat, making them an excellent choice for anyone concerned about their health. Furthermore, trace chemicals from pesticides and fertilizers have been detected in commercial eggs, and many of these chickens are given growth hormones and antibiotics to make them produce more. Chickens at Mountain Valley View Farm are fed an all-natural grain and allowed to roam and forage for food to supplement their diet. We do not use chemical pesticides or fertilizers on our farm, nor do we give our animals growth hormones or antibiotics, so you can be assured that our eggs will not have the toxins so common to commercially produced eggs. You will also love the taste of our eggs, as studies have shown that organic eggs from hens that eat a varied diet have a noticeably stronger and more pleasing flavor than commercial eggs.
Benefits of Duck & Goose Eggs
Duck eggs are significantly larger than chicken eggs, and goose eggs are larger still. One goose egg, when cooked, will be roughly equivalent to four chicken eggs, and both duck and goose eggs also have more yolk than the average chicken egg. Thicker shells lend themselves toward a longer shelf life (at least 6 weeks in the refrigerator), and goose eggshells are so thick that they are perfect for the delicate art of carving and embossing beautiful designs directly onto the shell. Both duck eggs and goose eggs are slightly higher in protein content, as well as containing greater concentrations of other nutrients like iron, potassium, Vitamin E, Vitamin B12, and Vitamin D.
Duck and goose eggs have their own unique flavors as well. Duck eggs have a noticeably stronger flavor than chicken eggs, and although not everyone may care for this taste when eaten plain, nearly everyone agrees that duck eggs are unparalleled when used for baking. Their richness produces moister, fluffier baked goods–absolutely incredible cakes and cookies. Goose eggs taste similar to chicken eggs, but seem a bit drier. They are also thicker than chicken eggs and have a custard-like yolk. They are also wonderful in cooking and are best in sweet confections and omelets.
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Mountain Valley View Farm, Inc.
Your Source for Northwest Farm Fresh Foods Shipped Worldwide
4301 South Chapman Road
Greenacres, Washington 99016-8732 USA
Phone (509) 928-1800 | Fax (509) 922-9949
Email: sales@mountainvalleyviewfarm.com
Website: www.mountainvalleyviewfarm.com
Online Store: www.mountainvalleyviewfarmstore.com
Blog with us at www.mountainvalleyviewfarmblog.com
Mountain Valley View Farm Hours:
Monday – Saturday
8:00 a.m. – Noon; 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time)
Closed Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Other farm hours by advance appointment only.
Please call (509) 928-1800 to schedule an appointment.
Getaway Studio Dining Room
& Bed and Breakfast
Phone (509) 928-8900
Directions to Mountain Valley View Farm, Inc.
From I-90 East or West
Take the Sullivan Exit (291B) – South for about 3 miles
Turn left on Saltese (east), and continue for .5 mile
Turn right on South Chapman Road (south), and proceed .9 mile
The farm will be on the left-hand side of the road – 4301 South Chapman Road
Amazing Egg Facts
Here is some information that you might find interesting about amazing egg facts.
Amazing Egg Facts Infographic by JES Restaurant Equipment
Sign up for weekly delivery of farm fresh produce!
Please click on the image above to view or print in a larger format.
Mountain Valley View Farm, Inc. now offers regular weekly delivery of our delicious, organic farm fresh products! This is a convenient way to make sure that you are getting fresh produce and eggs on a regular basis without driving out to our farm or to one of the farmers’ markets each week. You can choose to receive a selection of seasonal vegetables, a selection of seasonal fruits, a combination of fruits and veggies, or a dozen eggs from our organic, free-range laying hens. In the future, we will also offer weekly deliveries of our tasty, nutritious goat and sheep milk. Right now, we are in the process of receiving our organic certification and dairy certification, and we are so excited about the future of our family farm!
There is a small per-mile delivery fee that will be calculated according to your location. Similarly, the total amount will vary depending on which items you choose to have delivered: vegetables only, fruit only, fruit and veggies, or eggs only. Please call us at 509-928-1800 to determine the cost. Weekly deliveries are billed automatically on your credit or debit card for your convenience. We invite you to come visit us at Mountain Valley View Farm, Inc. when you have finished filling out the weekly delivery sign up sheet. We are located at:
4301 S Chapman Rd
Greenacres, WA 99016
Or find us at the following area farmer’s markets:
Spokane Public Market
32 W. 2nd Ave
Spokane, WA 99210
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Wed – Fri
Spokane Farmers’ Market
5th Ave between Division & Brown
Spokane, WA 99210
8:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. Wed & Sat
Spokane Northside Farmers’ Market
315 E. Francis
Spokane, WA 99205
Wed 3 – 7 p.m. and Sat 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
South Perry Farmers’ Market
924 South Perry Street
3-7pm Thurs
New Ponderosa Outdoor Market
4102 S. Bowdish
Spokane Valley, WA 99206
3-7 pm Tues
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Know Your Eggs
Mountain Valley View Farm, Inc. is delighted to provide farm fresh, organic eggs from our flock of chickens, ducks, and geese to the Spokane area. But what should you, as a consumer, look for in your eggs? Read on to find out.
Freshness
Freshness can be determined several ways. If you place an egg in a cold cup of water, it will sink if it is fresh and float if it is old. Furthermore, when you break open the egg, its consistency should remain firm and the yolk stand up round. An old egg will spread out and have a flattened yolk. Mountain Valley View Farm, Inc. always puts a packing date on each egg carton we sell so that you can be assured the eggs you are getting are fresh. According to the USDA, fresh eggs can be stored in the refrigerator for 4-5 weeks without spoiling. Some people find that duck and goose eggs keep even longer due to their thicker shells, but if you choose to use an egg after it is more than 5 weeks old, please use caution. Mountain Valley View Farm is not responsible for any illness you may incur.
Eggshell Color
Eggshells can vary widely in color, although the most common are white and brown. The eggshell color varies from breed to breed, and has no real significance to nutritional value or quality of the egg. However, it is interesting to note that most commercial egg producers use breeds that lay white eggs because these chickens eat less and lay a higher quantity of eggs, and they are looking only at the bottom line. These chickens are usually kept in small cages and are given antibiotics that end up tainting the eggs with chemicals. Small farms like Mountain Valley View generally prefer breeds like the Rhode Island Red, who lay brown eggs and are better at foraging for food, making them ideal free-range birds. Mountain Valley View has several breeds of chicken that lay brown eggs, as well as the Araucana which lays gorgeous, vibrantly blue or blue-green eggs. Our ducks also lay some blue-ish eggs, and the Cayuga breed lays eggs with a speckled black and white shell, even occasionally an all-black shell. All our birds are free-range, hormone and antibiotic free.
Egg White
The egg white of a raw egg is translucent, and only turns white after the egg is cooked. A somewhat yellow or green tint to the raw egg white is nothing to worry about: it indicates a high content of riboflavin. Similarly, a cloudy egg white is not a problem and indicates a very fresh egg.
Egg Yolk
The color of the egg yolk can vary due to the diet of the hen that laid the eggs. Caged hens on commercial farms receive a less diverse and nutritious diet than the free-range hen, so commercial eggs often have a lighter-colored yolk. A free-range hen will generally consume plenty of plants with yellow/orange pigments known as xanthophylls. These pigments are deposited in the yolk, turning it a bright yellow; and the xanthophylls become carotene, which is the precursor to Vitamin A. Hens who roam green pasture will produce darker yolks, and these are also more nutritious than commercial eggs.
Blood Spots
Blood spots are rare, but when you do find one, don’t worry. It is actually an indicator that the egg is very fresh, and there is nothing wrong with the egg in any way. Rather than indicating a fertilized egg, the blood spot is caused by a rupture of a blood vessel during formation of the egg. If you are still concerned, you may simply use a knife to cut away that portion of the egg and eat the rest.
Benefits of Organic Eggs
Organic eggs are extremely nutritious and contain significantly higher ratios of Vitamins A and E, Omega 3, and beta carotene than commercially produced eggs. They are also lower in cholesterol and saturated fat, making them an excellent choice for anyone concerned about their health. Furthermore, trace chemicals from pesticides and fertilizers have been detected in commercial eggs, and many of these chickens are given growth hormones and antibiotics to make them produce more. Chickens at Mountain Valley View Farm are fed an all-natural grain and allowed to roam and forage for food to supplement their diet. We do not use chemical pesticides or fertilizers on our farm, nor do we give our animals growth hormones or antibiotics, so you can be assured that our eggs will not have the toxins so common to commercially produced eggs. You will also love the taste of our eggs, as studies have shown that organic eggs from hens that eat a varied diet have a noticeably stronger and more pleasing flavor than commercial eggs.
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You may purchase farm fresh, organic eggs directly at the Mountain Valley View Farm, located at:
4301 S Chapman Rd
Greenacres, WA 99016
Or find us at the following area farmer’s markets:
Spokane Public Market
32 W. 2nd Ave
Spokane, WA 99210
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Wed – Fri
Spokane Farmers’ Market
5th Ave between Division & Brown
Spokane, WA 99210
8:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. Wed & Sat
Spokane Northside Farmers’ Market
315 E. Francis
Spokane, WA 99205
Wed 3 – 7 p.m. and Sat 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
South Perry Farmers’ Market
924 South Perry Street
Spokane, WA 99202
3-7pm Thurs
Millwood Farmers’ Market
3223 North Marguerite Rd
Spokane, WA 99212
3-7pm Wed
New Ponderosa Outdoor Market
4102 S. Bowdish
Spokane Valley, WA 99206
3-7 pm Tues
Liberty Lake Farmers’ Market
1421 N. Meadowood Lane
Liberty Lake, WA 99019
8:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. Sat
You can also arrange to have products delivered to your home. Delivery charge will vary depending on your location. Call 509-928-1800 for more information, or to schedule a time to pick up your delicious organic eggs!
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