native to: first mentioned in Egypt in the 1300s B.C.E.; also known in Southeast Asia prior to 500 B.C.E. and in ancient Rome
in season here: year-round, but most plentiful in summer (like chickens, ducks produce more eggs when they get more daylight)
Duck eggs are 40-50% bigger than the biggest chicken eggs, with a larger yolk, more protein, fat, and other nutrients, more albumen, and a richer flavor. This makes them a particularly good choice for baking; they make fluffier soufflés, richer cakes, flakier pie crust. They'd probably make great Easter eggs, too. The thicker shell makes them easier to transport and is said to give them a longer shelf life.
Some recipes will need tweaking before they'll come out perfectly, but Robin of Neighborhood Duck Farm tells me a cake mix will come out very well with the same number of duck eggs as chicken eggs, and mixes using 2-3 eggs will make especially spectacular cupcakes. Duck eggs are also reputed to produce very rich, creamy scrambled eggs, but can get a little rubbery if boiled or fried too long.
Nutritionally, duck eggs are similar to chicken eggs except for significantly more protein, fat, and omega-3 fatty acids (paleo dieters, here's your egg). Basically, it's a bigger yolk.
When ducks are allowed to eat fish, their eggs can taste a little fishy, but when the ducks are being raised for their eggs rather than just as pets this won't be a problem. Duck eggs are most often found in Asian cuisine, especially Chinese and Vietnamese dishes. They're still difficult to find in the U.S., with their fans snapping up any they encounter at pretty much whatever price the farmer dares to put on them (the first batch of duck eggs at the Tumwater Market sold out by 11:30, with the last customer only getting half the eggs she wanted).
People who are allergic to chicken eggs can often eat duck eggs (test this carefully and with your doctor's advice, obviously!). Those who are avoiding cholesterol will want to be careful; duck eggs have nearly three times the cholesterol of chicken eggs.
Read more:
label-style nutrition information for raw duck eggs
Countryside Network
The Free Range Life
short comparison of duck and chicken eggs on YouTube
Versión en español: this post is also available in Spanish.
Esperanta traduko: this post is also available in Esperanto, because Dana is a language geek.
