They're Ba-ack.... a blog entry from Charlie

Perhaps nothing marks the arrival of spring at American Masala Farm better than the first goose eggs of the season.  As the late winter weeks go by and days begin to get a bit longer, we wait with eager anticipation for these beautiful savory treats to make their appearance.

This year, they came on a bitter cold Saturday morning.  While attending to morning chores, and rushing to meet friends for a trip to watch the local school basketball playoffs, I was smitten with glee to find my first pair tucked away with care under the corn crib.  What a delight – and even more exciting to know that Suvir, waiting patiently for me in the kitchen, was totally unaware of the gift of the day.  I tucked them into the bottom of the egg basket, and headed off to the coop to collect eggs from the hens.

Now, I should mention that Suvir loves nothing more than to play with, talk to, pet, and photograph his chicken flock – but he also adores cooking up their eggs!  As Michael London of Mrs. London’s Restaurant recently said “I've a cosmic hunch that the eggs from Masala don't really come from chickens - that their yolks drip from the sun and their creamy, buttery texture flow from the cow that jumped over the moon.”  This too is the time of year that our youngest birds begin laying their charmingly small eggs along side their elder sisters, so too each day brings the excitement of a new hued or speckled egg for our visual delight.  When he took the basket he was surprised of its weight and quantity and asked as usual if there were any new eggs today.  My response of course was simple, “A couple small, and a couple large.”  Then moments later, “EEEEE!” - the thrill of discovering that the long wait was at last over.

So spring is fast upon us.  Soon the ducks too will begin to lay, the goats will have their kids, and the sheep will have their lambs.  Flowers will begin pushing up from the newly thawed earth and the bees will venture from the hive to begin their magic of collecting pollen and making honey.  Apple blossoms will proliferate the hills and valleys drawing excitement for the harvest to come.  It is amazing how one lives the seasons here.  In my wildest imagination I could have never thought myself a farmer, but now perhaps it is unimaginable to not have this in my life – funny the changes one goes through, hibernation in winter and an awakening in the spring!

As Suvir mentioned in a past post, An Egg Magnified in Size and Taste, he loves his goose eggs sunny side up and a bit on the soft side, topped of course with some freshly grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese and a sprinkling of fresh cracked pepper and sea salt.  I love them this way, but from time to time I also use them in a truffled egg toast, atop a pizza, or as in Lyon baked in a ramekin bedded with sautéed onions and herbs.  Any way you cook them, they are sensational!

Comments

[Marie Ryan]

Your farm is beautiful! It looks like such a happy place. I have eaten at Devi and taken Suvir's class at De Gustibus (Macys) so I know what a great chef he is. Best Wishes to you both and all your wonderful animals! :)

[Charlie Burd]

Marie,

Many thanks for your kind words. I agree he is a great chef, and every so often he is home long enough to cook for me. LOL

If ever in Upstate NY, swing by for a visit!

Best,

Charlie

[Marie Ryan]

You're sweet. Thanks! :)

[Christine]

I think we're neighbors. Are you on Chamberlin Mills Rd? I thought I recognized the front of the house!

[anne rawlings]

love your website!!!!!it always makes me smile and it is so beautiful. you both lead a blessed life! miss you

[Stacey Morris]

Thank You JESUS!

I've been waiting 9 months for this occurrence. Once you've tasted American Masala's Goose Eggs, one is quite simply spoiled for life.

I'm coming out soon for a major purchase. By the way, do you have goose-egg-cartons?

:)

Happy Spring to you Both!
Stacey

[Sally]

Your lovely prose and photos have me salivating for goose eggs and the start of spring. When I am tired of winter, I reflect that one has to live in this neck of the woods to appreciate the seasons - I can't imagine that someone in Southern California, for example, gets the thrill that we do out of spring or fall. Thanks for the tangible reminder that when goose eggs drop, spring can't be far behind!

[Hafiz]

wow...is there such a thing as goose egg carton? I definitely could use some : ). Our geese have started laying and it was my first time this year. What a treat! Are your eggs brown? Ours lay white? Nice post..love the animal pics on the snow.

[Matt Christensen]

Hey Charlie! Great photos and commentary on what's going on at the farm. I miss you guys and would love to see you both again. I hope you're both well. Thanks for sharing this.