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One Size?

March 23rd, 2013

One of the things you learn to love about growing your own is the fact that not all things are created equal and one size does not fit all. When you harvest your homegrown veg, every head of broccoli looks different, tomatoes are different sizes, things are not exact cookie cutters of each other. The same goes for eggs from a flock of backyard chickens. They come in all shapes and sizes (and colors if you’ve got the right hens).
backyard eggs in all sizes
I also notice that the shells vary in shades of brown and the eggs are shaped differently as well. Some have shells that are thicker than others, I guess it depends on the chicken that laid that egg. There is as much individuality among the eggs as there is among the chickens in my flock.
brown eggs
There’s a definite beauty in variety, it certainly makes things more pleasing to the eye, but there are other benefits as well. The smaller eggs have a higher ratio of yolk to white, that means they’re perfect for custards or ice cream. Noticing the difference and learning to appreciate each thing for what it brings to the table is quite nice. Now, if I go into a grocery store I’m actually taken aback by the uniformity. Around here, one size definitely does not fit all and we like it that way!

What’s your favorite “imperfect” home produced food?

11 Comments to “One Size?”
  1. Joan on March 23, 2013 at 7:09 am

    I agree with you – my favorite is my eggs. Varying shades of brown, some with speckles, some with a thin layer of calcium making a whitish tinge, some incredibly smooth to the touch, some with a wrinkle on the top of the shell, and of course the blue and green ones. For most of the eggs I can identify the chicken that they came from. Every day when I collect eggs I marvel at the beauty of them.

    Reply to Joan's comment

    • Joan on March 23, 2013 at 7:11 am

      I thought you had some Aracaunas, but no blue/green eggs Susy?

      Reply to Joan's comment

      • Susy on March 23, 2013 at 8:59 am

        No blue or green eggs yet, I have some new wyandottes, no aracaunas. Perhaps someday in the future I will.

        to Susy's comment

  2. Natalie on March 23, 2013 at 9:27 am

    Anything I cook isn’t very uniform, but I’m starting to become decent at making good food. In fact, I haven’t eaten out in a really long time and I don’t miss it (I’m gluten free, so it is always a challenge when eating out). I think we may end up with some egg laying chickens in the next few years and I look forward to their eggs!

    Reply to Natalie's comment

  3. amy on March 23, 2013 at 9:31 am

    I enjoy our eggs tremendously including the duck….but I think my favorite is the asparagus……

    Reply to amy's comment

  4. Mrs. Mac on March 23, 2013 at 9:40 am

    Isn’t it nice that home grown isn’t uniform? I think that veggies all lined up at the store without blemish or irregular shape are not worth buying .. because the growers have compromised flavor over looks. Love, love, love, farm eggs .. especially when you gather them and they are still warm.

    Reply to Mrs. Mac's comment

  5. judym on March 23, 2013 at 11:00 am

    You are so right! I look forward to gathering eggs each day. We have only one variety of girls – Golden Buffs – but I was surprised as a newbie, how varied the eggs were in size (small, large, very large!), shapes and shades. The shapes are usually the normal egg shape but get some very interesting shapes at times. The shades of brown vary too – even speckles sometimes.

    When we first got the girls, we had a lot of double yolks – usually came in the biggest of eggs.

    Hoping to add at least one easter egger or a Welshimer or two (one a rooster) next time around.

    Reply to judym's comment

  6. Michelle on March 23, 2013 at 11:42 am

    Lovely photos… I am always amazed at the different color of our eggs…the variation in browns…even some speckles now and then. So pretty…

    I buy eggs in the winter when the girls take their break and I sometimes think that the “brown eggs” I buy are quite possibly dyed brown…the color is just too uniform. Kinda scary…

    Reply to Michelle's comment

  7. Chris on March 23, 2013 at 1:06 pm

    Yup, has to be eggs….just like our children…every one is unique and beautiful….all shapes, sizes and colors! :)

    Reply to Chris's comment

  8. Lisa on March 23, 2013 at 3:47 pm

    I am jumping on the egg bandwagon too. Although I don’t have chickens of my own, I’m lucky enough to get farm fresh eggs from a co-worker that does. My eggs are all different sizes and colors too. I did notice the different thick/thinness of the shells too.

    Reply to Lisa's comment

  9. Sincerely, Emily on March 23, 2013 at 7:37 pm

    I LOVE the fresh eggs that I pick up down the road. I love the speckled and freckled eggs and I love the different sizes. All individual from each individual bird. That makes the special

    Reply to Sincerely, Emily's comment

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This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.

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