“When you wake up in the morning, Pooh,” said Piglet at last, “What’s the first thing you say to yourself?”
“What’s for breakfast?” said Pooh. “What do you say, Piglet?”
“I say, I wonder what’s going to happen exciting today?” said Piglet.
Pooh nodded thoughtfully. “It’s the same thing,” he said.
– A. A. Milne, The House at Pooh Corner
Much like Winnie the Pooh, nothing in life delights me as much as food – a new flavor, a new ingredient, a new technique. As a food lover, I’m always on the lookout to learn something new; therefore, I’m always delighted.
So you can imagine my sheer joy when I discovered a never tried and local ingredient at the Newark Farmers Market. I spied Toby of Bayberry Farm at his usual spot and wanted to see if he had any eggs. I’ve met his 100 plus chickens in person, having written an article about Toby for GreenDelaware magazine last year.
Happy chickens make beautiful eggs!
Unfortunately, Toby was out of chicken eggs. “But I have turkey eggs!” he said with his usual smile. I was intrigued. Since I also met Toby’s turkeys on my tour of Bayberry Farm, I purchased six eggs.
Heritage breed turkeys at Bayberry Farm
I wasn’t disappointed with my choice. Turkey eggs are larger than chicken eggs with a harder shell covered in brown, textured spots. The egg itself is full of flavor, like a chicken egg intensified.
Delightful eggs
Knowing I wanted to enjoy the velvety richness of that yolk, I sautéed some garlic and rainbow chard from my CSA and topped it with the eggs, leaving the yolks runny and bright gold. The result was a delightful breakfast that would have roused even a honey-loving bear from a deep sleep.
Pooh and Piglet walking happily into the sunset, discussing life
Sauteed Rainbow Chard with a Turkey Egg Topper
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, diced
1 clove garlic, sliced
1 pound rainbow chard
kosher salt and pepper, to taste
2 turkey eggs (or 4 chicken eggs – for 2 servings)
Cut out the thick stems of the chard and chop into 1 inch pieces. Cut the remaining leaves into 1 inch ribbons, set aside.
Stems and leaves, separated
In a large non-stick saute pan, heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Add the onion and cook for a few minutes to soften. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the chopped chard stems and cook for about 4 minutes. Add the chard leaves to the pan and sprinkle with desired amount of salt and pepper. Using tongs, toss the leaves in the pan to coat with olive oil. Spread the mixture evenly over the bottom of the pan and make two spaces for the eggs. Break the eggs one at a time into a bowl first (in case of a bad egg) and then drop into the pan. Salt and pepper each egg.
Rainbow Chard Nest
Turn the heat to low and cover. Cook for 4 minutes, checking after 3 minutes. When the whites are cooked, remove the pan from the heat and use a spatula to transfer the eggs and chard to a plate.
Delightful breakfast
The rich yolk makes a lovely, lovely sauce
Wonderful!
Thanks, Arthur!
Fantastic, Rachel. I adore all things eggs, and Winnie the Pooh as well! I have never tried turkey eggs, but the French here are not much into turkey in general, so I am afraid it wouldn’t be an easy task to find the eggs. Your breakfast sounds and looks delicious!
Thanks, Darya!
Apparently, turkey eggs are hard to find here, too. They are usually allowed to hatch, because in America everyone likes their turkey! The farmer said they are similar to duck eggs, if you’ve ever had those.
I am like Darya and love eggs but have also never had a turkey egg. I did hear that duck eggs are alkaline though – better for me.
The farmer told me they are similar to duck eggs, but I liked them better than duck eggs – the yolk was rich and velvety but tasted so similar to a chicken egg.
That looks delicious! I’ve never tried a turkey egg before (or rainbow chard) It’s funny, we see turkey roaming about around my neighborhood ALL the time. Just saw flock of them crossing the road recently. This reminds me of one of my fave breakfasts I used to have as a kid, egg on toast–just a soft-boiled egg, a bit runny so it would cover the toast like a sauce. So good and filling.
When I lived in Massachusetts, turkeys would walk by our apartment all the time too! I wonder if it’s a New England thing. As far as greens go, rainbow chard is my favorite. It doesn’t get chewy and tough like some greens can get.
Egg on toast is Mr. Rache’s FAVORITE breakfast. Nothing better than a runny yolk!
Mr. Rache has good taste. And it’s hard to get the yolk just right, Jim usually overcooks it.
It’s a fine line – one second the yolk is perfect, the next it’s a pale yellow gob. (Mr. Rache usually overcooks it, too.)
Holy crap! That looks gorgeous! I’m so glad you wrote about this, because I LOVE eggs, but for some reason am so wary of trying any other kind (I never have).
The Winnie the Pooh excerpt was perfect.
Thanks, Jules! I highly recommend turkey eggs, if you can find them. They may come in handy when you are fueling up for one of your epic hikes!
That is the MOST delightful way to eat an egg, I say. I am surprised to see another do this!! Way to work in some Poohisms. He is one of my favorite philosophers. Alas, we gave eggs as well when we adopted a life of compassion for others. So now it’s greens, garlic, and tofu instead. Just as delish and greens are a great start to any excellent day. 🙂
Oh wow, now I’m really jealous! Turkey eggs?! I never seen them or even considered eating. But now I want some. I need pay attention at the market this weekend.
They look like dinosaur eggs! But they are oh-so-good.
I’ve never tried anything but a chicken egg. I’m intrigued. My wife would love this dish, and I find Pooh and his pals insufferable. I guess Tigger is the least so, if I had to pick.
Funny you should say that because I find Tigger the most annoying – with his lisp and his bouncing.
Make this dish for your wife with chicken eggs – it’s delish.
Pooh is a little too optimistic for me. If breakfast is an adventure for you, you are way too upbeat. How about a little bitterness Pooh! Or is that Eeyore?
Yes, I’m guessing Eeyore is your favorite character then? He’s never happy and everything’s a bother.
I’m not a very upbeat person, really. I just LOVE food!
If I like Winnie the Pooh then he would be my favorite. I like food but mostly the eating of it.
I almost bought some once, but they were so BIG!!! I got scared.
I’m over at YOUR blog, right this second.
The bigger the better.
Simultaneous parallel blog admiration, I like it! Bigger the better, is that like “Size matters”!? Next time on Rachel’s Table: Ostrich eggs!
Next up: Dinosaur eggs (which is what these turkey eggs reminded me of)
That’s absolutely beautiful! You’re making me seriously reconsider my go-to breakfast, Drunkin’ Donuts (bowl of Dolly Madison chocolate mini donuts broken up, soaked in Bailey’s Irish Cream.)
Ha ha ha! I like the sound of your breakfast better!
How lucky to have found fresh turkey eggs…I’ve never seen any at the farmer’s markets. What a delicious way to start the day.
I felt lucky, Karen! And wished I bought more. They were so, so good.
Hi Rachel! I’m a stranger but we belong to the same CSA and I found your site at their pinterest page. Your turkey eggs look fantastic, and you’ve inspired me to go looking for some soon. Have you ever tried quail eggs? They’re little and cute, and I like getting them if I’m having a dinner party and including a fried one on everyone’s salad. It’s such a fun way to add just a little bit of egg to a salad.
I’ve never had quail eggs, but I want to try them. What an elegant touch to a dinner party salad. 🙂
Apparently turkey eggs are hard to come by, but well worth the effort finding them.
Thanks for stopping by, Sara!
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