Pickle Eggs Sold in the Farmer Market - Part 1 - Food Variety 36

We consume salt eggs, usually duck eggs. They are sold in the Asian groceries in our city, Baton Rouge.

Fig 01- Jalapeno pickle eggs

When we visit one of farmer markets close by our home recently, we noticed that there are pickle eggs.

We found the eggs include chicken and quail eggs, but no duck eggs as pickle eggs are sold.

The different between pickle and salt eggs are:
1) Salted eggs
- eggs are soaked in the brine or wrapped by salted charcoal paste.
- traditionally, salt eggs are duck eggs for specific texture and taste.

Fig 02- Sky over the city, illustration only

Fig 02- Sky over the city, illustration

2) Pickled eggs
- boiled eggs are soaked in the acid and sweet vinegar
- usually chicken or quail eggs.

Fig 03- Jars of pickle eggs

Have you tasted pickle eggs? what eggs?

# Previous postings:
- "What was Relationship between Christian Art and Classical Rome? | Tanza Erlambang Update"

- "Cantaloupe Grows Well in America | Tanza Erlambang Update"

- "Fragrance and Attractive Flower of Gardenia | Tanza Erlambang Update"

- "How Much Cash in the Ultra Rich Wallet? | Tanza Erlambang Updat"

- "Why do Banana Ripen Faster than We Expected? | Tanza Erlambang Update"

The Fig Season in the City - Food Variety 35

We have the variety of figs that can produce two terms in the year.  Like other typical figs, the harvesting seasons from June to early September.  

Fig 01- The fig fruit in the box

However, several varieties have second season in the Fall. The Brown Turkey fig is an example of the variety with two crops per year, Summer and Fall. This variety is well known for its sweetness.

3 favorites fig varieties in our area, Baton Rouge are O'Rourke, Champagne, Tiger and LSU Gold. 

We love O'Rourke variety; it is because the fruit is sweet flavor. The figs have a brown (beonze) skin with medium sized. The variety season is around Summer to early Fall.

Fig 02- The fig fruit on the hand.

The O'Rourke figs, we think are delicious fresh, dried, or cooked. Sure, we love fresh the most.

Fig 03- The fresh fig fruit, just picked them.

Have you tasted the fig? What do you think?

# Previous postings:

- Why Wearing Hat Makes You are Losing Your Hair? | Tanza

- Is Avocado Considered as a Super Food? | Tanza Erlambang

- Does The North Atlantic Right Whale Face Extinction? | Tanza

- What do Old Ladies do in New York? | Tanza Erlambang Update

- What Does Bacteria of Listeria monocytogenes do on Pregnant Women?

The Tamale is a Typical Mexican Dish – Part 2 – Food Variety 34

You may read previous (Part 1) post:

- The Tamale is a Typical Mexican Dish – Part 1 – Food Variety 34 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fig 01- The Beef Tamale, sold in Walmart

The Tamale is a delicious dish with tastes of sweety, salty or spicy, made of “a corn based dog” with mixture of various stuffs such as: various meats (chicken), beans, dried fruits, olive, cheese, vegetables (carrots and peppers).

When eating Tamale, we remove the wrap first, either we throw it or used it as a plate. We may eat with:
- guacamole
- rice
- pico de gallo

As you might know that Guacamole is a kind of dip. made by mashing of avocados with other ingredients include chili peppers, lime juice, salt, tomatoes, onions and cilantro.

Have you tried a Tamale? Or which one Mexican food does you like?

# Previous postings:

- Is It Possible to Cure Prostate Cancer? | Tanza Erlambang

- Do You Know Spice which More Expensive than Gold? | Tanza

- Will Confederate Jasmine Crawl Back After Winter? | Tanza

- Is There Relationship between Vaccine and Autism? | Tanza Erlambang Update

Are Cage Free Eggs Healthier than Regular Ones? - Part 2 – Food Variety 32

 You may read previous post (Part 1):

- Are Cage Free Eggs Healthier than Regular Ones? - Part 1 – Food Variety 32 | Tanza Erlambang Update 

Fig01- Cage free eggs packed

In addition, cage free hens live in housing system are able to stretch their wings, run around and lay eggs in the nest.  Thus, hens are able to express their natural behaviors compared to hens in battery cages

However, they might not access to outdoor, few of cage free systems let hens to play outside. 

The main reason the hens are not allowed to go outdoor that it is difficult to control predators. As you know, the foxes and coyotes are predators live around cage free system. 

Fig 02- A hen plays outside in the morning

In term of price, sure, cage free eggs much more expensive than confined hen’s eggs. The price could be double or more. I found US$ 2.26 for 12 regular eggs, while 12 cage free eggs are US$ 3.96. 

Fig 03- Two hens at a small farm.

Have you tried cage free eggs?  What do you think?

# Previous post:

- What are Coconut Shell and Husk used for? | Tanza

- Have You Seen Banana Trees Growing in Your Place? |

- Is Tempe a Healthy Food? | Tanza Erlambang Update

- When is Summer Coming? | Tanza Erlambang Update

- What is the Story of Popular Mechanics about? | Tanza

Have you Tasted Korean Dumplings? - Food Variety 35

We just bought Korean dumplings, also called as “Mandu” from a nearby Asian restaurant recently.

Fig 01- Korean Dumplings, ready to consume

Based on my knowledge that the well known dumplings come from the countries like Japan, China and Korea. Honestly, we don’t know the differences of Korean, Chinese, Japanese or other countries dumplings.

What we know that Dumpling is a small “cooked dough” with different kinds of filling in it, such as vegetable, seafood, fruit and meat.

At least, there are 3 types of dumplings sold in the markets, they are: frying, steaming and boiling.

Fig 02- Dumplings, ready to be boiled.

From internet sources that a dumpling and noodles were popular since the Han Dynasty about 200 BCE.

Fig 03- Dumplings, could be consumed immediately

We found that fillings of Korean dumpling composed of vegetable, tofu, seafood and meat. We love vegetable dumplings, and seafood dumplings sometimes.

Fig 04- Dumplings with sauce

Have you tasted dumplings? What types and filling do you like?

# Previous postings:

- A Ruby Crowned Kinglet – Critter 29 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Have you Tasted Tamarind Fruit or Juice? - Part 2 - Food Variety 27 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- What does Dogtopia Mean? - Sign 32 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- The Differences between Pink and Regular Salts - Part 1 - Food Variety 28 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Why is Low Glycemic Index Important? - Diabetes 29 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Have You Ever Tasted a Paria? - Part 2 - Food Variety 31

You may read the previous post (Part 1):

- Have You Ever Tasted a Paria? - Part 1 - Food Variety 31 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fig 01- Length of 3 “paria” in a plate

I read from several literature, this kind of vegetable is easy to grow in hot and humid areas.

Then, it is possible to grow “paria” during summer in American southern. After sowing the seed, we could harvest “paria” in 60 days.

Eating cooked or boiled “paria” could improve our appetite. It also has good nutritional values.

Just some of the nutritional benefits in the bitter gourd are: dietary fiber, protein, variety of minerals and vitamins.

Fig 02- The bitter gourd in the Asian Shop

Many people in Asian countries such as Japan, Korea and China used “paria” to cure several diseases.

Fig 03- The bitter gourd, sold in Walmart

Have you seen a “paria” (bitter gourd) in the market in your country or anywhere else?

# Previous postings:

- Storing Firearms Securely to Prevent Suicide – Sign 27 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Do you Want to Have Forever Puppies? - Part 1 – Critter 27 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Bell-Shaped Flowers of Alligator Plants - Gardening and Hobby 28 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Have You ever Tasted Banana Pepper? - Part 1 - Food Variety 26 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- The Yaupon Holly Plants Produce Attractive Berries – Sign 28 | Tanza Erlambang Update

The Tamale is a Typical Mexican Dish – Part 1 – Food Variety 34

We “wrongly” called “Mexican foods” for traditional Mesoamericans or Latin American dishes. The reason, may be just for “simplicity.”

Fig 01- The Tamales, wrapped in banana leaves.

There are plenty of Mexican foods sold commercially in the USA. You probably know or ever consume some of them:

- Tamale

- Tacos

- Tostadas

- Chiles en nogada

- Enchiladas

- Nachos

Fig 02- A little building, Just for illustration

One of my favorites is a Tamale. The way its cook is interesting for me, it is steamed with wrapping.

The “material” for wrapping is taken from nature, it could be one of these natural materials:

- banana leaf

- corn husk

Fig 03 – Another type of Tamale, wrapped with corn husk

# To be continued to Part 2

# Previous postings:

- Injured Hawk on the Yard – Critter 24 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Why does Oil Price Go Negative in the Market? - Part 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Public Education from the Rose Society – Sign 25 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Do You Know that Your Cat Love you? - Part 2 - Critter 20 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Hibiscus Blooming in December - Gardening and Hobby 27 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Is Tempeh Better than Tofu? - Part 2 – Food Variety 30

Like tofu, tempeh is also a good source of minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

Fig 01- Thick slices of Tempeh

As you might know that these minerals are important to our body to have normal function and maintain our health.

Tempeh has contained a little higher in calories with about 160 in half a cup, which makes it perfect for a quick protein and caloric boost!

We hate to say it, as we love both tofu and tempeh, but tempeh is the winner of this health food match-up.

That’s not to say we’ll be cutting tofu anytime soon, though—it’s wonderfully (and arguably more) versatile and so delicious!

Fig 02- Tempe as snacks, favorite in many developing countries

But if you’re looking for a health boost, tempeh is definitely the better option.

Which soybean product do you prefer? Tofu or tempeh? Share with us your favorite recipes!

Fig 03- Tempeh are wrapped with banana’s leaf.

# Previous postings:

- Snails as One of Popular Seafood – Sign 21 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- May Yogurt Reduce Risk of Heart Diseases? - Part 1 – Heart 11 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- From Caterpillar to Monarch Butterfly – Critter 18 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- May Drink Coffee Regularly Improve Healthy Heart? - Part 2 - Heart 8 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Jersey Giant Roosters Look Like Hens – Critter 19 | Tanza Erlambang Update

A Wild Watermelon Growing at Yards – Food Variety 33

Nature works nicely and surprisingly where we may see many plants pop up in several places during Spring and Summer seasons.

Fig 01- A wild watermelon

Many people, include my neighbors have their our terms to refer to these kinds of plants, few of the terms are:

- rough plants

- volunteer plants

- seed dispersal plants

A little corner of our house just grown by an unexpected plant which produces a fruit, a watermelon.

Fig 02- Cardinal eating some seeds

In fact, this time around is a watermelon season in our areas.

We believe this “marvelous” was done by birds, since they consume this fruit and its seeds.

Fig 03- Climbing on the pole.

One of birds visits our yard frequently is cardinals. The birds love to eat watermelon and its seed as reported by Birdfact (2023: What Do Cardinals Eat? (Complete Guide)). Cardinals may help germination of plants.

Fig 04- Raccoon kids play around.

Another possible animal to disperse seeds is Raccoon. We have observed this animal in our backyard at a certain time.

Fig 05- A little wild watermelon

What do you think?

# Previous postings:

- The Orb Weaver Spider in the Yard – Critter 14

- Demanding of Tofu was Increasing During Covid 19 Pandemic – Part 1 – Food Variety 21 |

- Drinking Problem in the USA – Sign 18 |

- Blooming of Freesia Flowers – Part 1 - Gardening and Hobby 25 |

- Peanuts in the Farmer Market – Part 2 - Food Variety 20 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Are Cage Free Eggs Healthier than Regular Ones? - Part 1 – Food Variety 32

I like the taste and flavor of cage free eggs than regular ones. Some people said the cage free eggs is the healthiest eggs, the other said no (nutritional) differences of the two.

Fig 01- Regular and cage free eggs

It is required that all groceries in the USA must sell cage free eggs by 2025, not so long time from now.

Some states require that groceries must sell cage free eggs by January, 2023 (Lyon Recorder, 2022: Effective January 2, 2023 grocery store eggs must come from cage-free farms). The sates are: “Utah, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Colorado, Massachusetts, California and Michigan.”

A cage free hen is not mean that hens are roaming around in the grass field or a very huge place.

Fig 02- Regular eggs packed

However, the hens are much more better live in the huge cage, hence, hens have good live than confined ones. 

Fig 03- Just for illustration

Advantages of cage free hens are following:

1) Consume organic feed

2) No antibiotics

3) No or less exposure to pesticides

Fig 04- A chicken, from previous photo

# To be continued to Part 2

## Previous postings:

- Declining Population of Mammals with Cube Feces | Tanza Erlambang

- Small Business at Nearby Neighborhood – Part 2 | Tanza Erlambang

- The Attractive Flower to Butterflies and Bees | Tanza Erlambang

- Less Books in the Box – Sign 17 | Tanza Erlambang Update