Springtime Eggs

When we think of Springtime and eggs, three things may come to mind. Deviled eggs, brightly colored eggs, and Easter egg hunts. Deviled eggs are a popular appetizer for many family gatherings this time of year and dying eggs a wide array of colors is always a fun activity and brings smiles to kids’ faces.

Eggs are a great source of nutrition and pack a lot of power in just one egg! Eggs are a good source of high-quality protein and contain many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support a healthy brain and a healthy body. Eggs are not only for breakfast but can be consumed anytime of the day! Hard boiled eggs make a great easy snack.

Making hard boiled eggs is fairly straight forward, but there are a few tricks that will help you successfully make a hard boil egg. Follow these steps to help you peel every piece of the shell off without removing half the egg at the same time!

Fresh eggs that are hard boiled can be difficult to peel so if you are using fresh eggs it is best to purchase them about one week in advance. Be sure to keep them refrigerated until you are ready to use.

To prepare hard boiled eggs on the stovetop:

• Place fresh eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water by one inch.
• Cover the pan and bring to a boil.
• Remove from the burner and let the eggs sit in the hot water for 15-20 minutes, keeping the lid on the pan. This helps keep the eggs tender and not get rubbery. Adjust time based on desired doneness.
• Carefully transfer eggs to a bowl of ice water and chill until cooled (about 10-15 minutes).
• Remove eggs from water and store in the refrigerator up to one week, unpeeled.

To peel the eggs:

• Gently tap the eggs on a surface to crack the shell all around the egg.
• Run the egg under cool water to pull the shell away from the egg. Once peeled, they can be used immediately.
• Keep unpeeled eggs in the refrigerator and use within one to two days.

If dying hard boiled eggs for Easter, be sure to use food-safe dyes or natural colors from other foods. If you will be using these dyed eggs in your annual egg hunt, hide eggs in locations that are free from contaminants like dirt and pets. Time your egg hunt so that the eggs are set out and found within two hours to keep them safe and make sure to remember to rinse off the ‘found’ eggs before consuming. If you find an egg is cracked during the hunt, be sure to throw it away as you cannot guarantee that the part you will eat is free from contaminants.

To learn more about eggs, including how to safely hand and store, visit USDA Shell Eggs from Farm to Table.