Eggs: A Symbol of Spring
/Eggs have long been regarded as a symbol of spring. From ancient civilizations to modern times, eggs have, for ages, symbolized new life. Pre-Christian Ukrainians celebrated the coming of spring with brightly colored eggs, a tradition that was later adopted by Christians and integrated into Easter celebrations, with the egg symbolizing Jesus’ resurrection.
Eggs are abundant in springtime. The increased hours of sunlight results in increased egg production for many varieties of birds, including those whose eggs we commonly eat. Birds like chickens, ducks, and turkeys lay enough eggs to both hatch chicks and provide food.
Eggs frequently are referred to as a “perfect food” because they pack so much nutritional value into a low-calorie package.
The nutritional benefits of eggs include:
Eggs contain the highest biological value for protein. One egg has only 75 calories, and yet it has seven grams of high-quality, bioavailable protein. They contain all of the essential amino acids in the correct ratios for your body to be able to make use of the proteins.
They contain a wide range of vitamins and minerals including vitamins A, B12, B6, D, and E and also folate, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, phosphorus, selenium, calcium, and zinc.
They contain trace nutrients essential for good health and are one of the best sources of choline, which regulates memory, mood, muscle control, and other functions.
Eating eggs increases the level of HDL, the “good” cholesterol in healthy adults.
They contain the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which are related to eye health.
Eggs are linked to reduced risk of heart disease.
Eggs are filling and provide a source of sustained energy.
Even with the recent increase in the cost of eggs, they remain a relatively inexpensive, high-quality food source. At $5 per dozen, a single egg still costs only 42 cents. They are easy to cook and incredibly versatile. There are so many ways to enjoy the “incredible, edible egg”. Here are a few of my favorites:
Smoked Salmon Egg Salad – Egg salad is a great way to use up all those beautifully colored Easter eggs. Simply chop some smoked salmon and mix it into your favorite egg salad recipe.
Scrambled Eggs with Spring Veggies – Try this recipe for spring veggies and toss with scrambled eggs. Top with a little feta or parmesan cheese, squeeze lemon juice on top, and garnish with fresh green onion.
Savory Egg Scramble – This is great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Dice and roast sweet potato or winter squash like butternut or acorn. When the roasting is nearly finished, scramble your eggs. Add the cooked squash and/or potatoes and a big handful of bitter greens (look for a mix such as spinach, arugula, and radicchio, or buy them separately). Cook just until the greens are wilted. Top with a squeeze of lemon juice and a bit of feta or parmesan cheese.
Breakfast Burrito – This recipe is inspired by Sunday mornings in Colorado Springs in the 1990s. Every restaurant in town fought for the title of “Best Breakfast Burrito”. My friends and I sampled every one we could. Cook separately: hash browns, scrambled eggs, sausage, or bacon. Roll the cooked potatoes, eggs, and bacon or sausage with some shredded cheddar cheese into a large tortilla shell. Top with the best chili verde or green chili enchilada sauce you can find (or make). The brand Mission makes a nice green enchilada sauce that is easy to find in most grocery stores. Top with your favorite burrito garnishes: sour cream, jalapenos, olives, cilantro, green onion, avocado, lettuce, salsa or diced tomatoes, hot sauce.
