The Recipes: Ostrich Eggs (2024)

At just under 2 kg, a single Ostrich egg weighs about the same as a whole chicken and remarkably is the equivalent of 24 normal-sized chicken eggs. If you can obtain one, cook it and open it, then one Ostrich egg can feed up to 10 people.

A typical egg is 200 mm tall, with a circumference of c. 450 mm, provides 2,000 calories and 144 g of protein. The latter is three times an adult’s recommended daily protein allowance but Ostrich eggs also contain calcium, iron and vitamin A while being lower in cholesterol and saturated fat than chicken eggs. However, at 4 mm thick, the smooth, shiny shell is so tough that cracking an egg open takes more than the back of a spoon - much more!

From experience, we have actually soft-boiled an Ostrich egg in what might called a parody of an ancient Roman recipe for ‘soft eggs in a pine kernel sauce’ (Apicius, 7.13.3). The details behind that particular escapade, and the Apician recipe itself, can be found here. Suffice to say, soft-boiling an Ostrich egg took about 45 - 50 minutes on a rolling boil (in a large cauldron over an open fire).

When it comes to eating, ostrich eggs can be made into an omelette, fried, scrambled, poached, or hard boiled if you have a spare 90 minutes. Remember, however, that these eggs are big, so everything is super-sized. You will need large catering size pans to cook (and cool) the egg, and utensils robust enough to manage the egg’s weight. Even opening an Ostrich egg is a challenge needing either a hammer to (carefully) break in or a saw to cut through the shell. And for boiled eggs, you will need a large dish or bowl to double as an egg cup. So, with the various pitfalls in mind, what follows are some simple (relatively speaking) ways to cook Ostrich eggs.

The Recipes: Ostrich Eggs (2)
The Recipes: Ostrich Eggs (3)
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One final note, in the UK the Ostrich laying season runs from April to August. At the time of writing, and obviously when in season, Waitrose & Co are selling ‘Clarence Court’ Ostrich eggs for £19.99 each. Bon appétit!

The Recipes: Ostrich Eggs (2024)

FAQs

How long would it take to hard-boil an ostrich egg riddle? ›

A huge boiled egg or an enormous fried one — with yolk intact — really has an impact. ' I decided to boil ours, but it takes 50 minutes to soft-boil an ostrich egg and 90 minutes to hard-boil it.

What does the ostrich egg symbolize? ›

In the later 1st millennium B.C., ostrich eggs were used as grave goods by the Punic Phoenicians and Etruscans, symbolizing resurrection and eternal life, as well as providing “food” for the deceased. Today, ostrich eggs are still used by Moslems to honor the dead, being hung near or above the place of burial.

What is the story the ostrich egg wife about? ›

A Tale from South Africa: A poor man finds an ostrich-egg and brings it home. A young woman emerges from the egg and becomes his wife, helping him become a chief. When he breaks his promise to her, he loses everything.

How long does it take to cook an ostrich egg? ›

Boiling an ostrich egg is common for people that have never cooked them before. It takes about 60 minutes to soft-boil and 90 minutes or more to hard-boil, depending on size. Fried or scrambled ostrich eggs are also common methods. Line your pan with non-stick spray or olive oil, then cook for 20 to 30 minutes.

Is the egg of an ostrich so hard that it will not break even if you stand on it? ›

An ostrich eggshell is quite strong and durable. It's one of the thickest and toughest eggshells among all bird species. The shell is composed of calcium carbonate, making it difficult to crack open without the use of tools. However, it's not indestructible, and with enough force, it can be broken.

What does the egg symbolize in the story the egg? ›

Through the father's failures and absurd behaviors, the story shows that the American dream symbolized by the egg is illusory and impractical, reduced to monetary pursuit.

What is the moral of the story the ostrich and the hedgehog? ›

The moral of the story is: Just learn to live with the Pricks in your life - big or little !

What does the bird egg symbolize? ›

An egg became a symbol of life because it encloses nascent life to emerge from it. It embodies the idea of rebirth and rejuvenation in the cycle of life, reflected also in its shape, with neither beginning nor end.

Can you make a deviled egg out of an ostrich egg? ›

I made the Worlds largest Deviled Egg with a Ostrich Egg! I boiled it for 1 1/2 hours and then ice bath for 30 minutes. The shell is very hard so it took a while to crack and peel. Next scoop out the yolk and add mayo, mustard, sweet relish, salt and pepper.

Can you eat ostrich eggs legally? ›

Yes, an ostrich egg is edible and you can eat them. One egg contains around 2,000 calories. Compared to a chicken egg, it has more magnesium and iron, but fewer vitamins E and A. But in reality, cooking or eating an ostrich egg is not very practical.

What meat is ostrich? ›

Ostrich meat is red because it contains myoglobin, a protein that turns red once exposed to oxygen. The USDA classifies ostrich meat as technically poultry, but it looks and tastes almost exactly like beef and is a perfect 1-1 replacement for beef in most recipes that call for red meat.

How long does it take to boil an ostrich egg a 10-20 minutes b 6 8 minutes c 50-90 minutes? ›

Suffice to say, soft-boiling an Ostrich egg took about 45 - 50 minutes on a rolling boil (in a large cauldron over an open fire). When it comes to eating, ostrich eggs can be made into an omelette, fried, scrambled, poached, or hard boiled if you have a spare 90 minutes.

Would boiling an egg at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro be quicker than boiling it at sea level? ›

Altitude can affect the boiling time

Due to changes in atmospheric pressure, water boils at a lower temperature at higher altitudes than it does at sea level. This means that boiling eggs in a high-altitude region may require an increased cooking time (2).

Why can t you cook a hard boiled egg on Mount Everest you may have to do some research find out? ›

It is 8,849 meters (29,031 feet) above sea-level, with about one-third of the atmospheric pressure. Consequently, the boiling temperature for water up there drops to 68°C (or 154°F). This is still hot enough to cause severe burns, but it is no longer hot enough to cook an egg completely.

What is hard boiled egg trivia? ›

Furthermore, eggs pack a complete range of amino acids, which means they are a complete protein source. Hard-boiled eggs also offer various important nutrients, including vitamin D, zinc, calcium and all of the B vitamins. They're a particularly good source of riboflavin (vitamin B2) and vitamin B12.

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