4-H project is a quail of a story at farmers market

Nine-year-old Alexus Jacobs may be one of the youngest vendors at the Fergus Falls Farmers Market.

The West Otter Tail County 4-Her is selling eggs laid by the ducks, chicken and quail she’s raising as a 4-H project.

And, as the growing season progresses, Alexus and her father, Jeff will be adding produce for their quarter acre garden to the sales.

They work with Terry Meyers on the production. All of them are from Fergus Falls and the garden plot is located north of town. In the coming weeks, look for squash, pumpkins, tomatoes, cabbage, corn, potatoes, beets and specialty beans.

When choosing breeds to raise, Jeff said they turned to Icelandic chickens due to their foraging abilities which are important since the flocks are raised on pasture and eat bugs and grass with some GMO grains.

A quail of a story…and recipe

While chicken eggs are a more common sight at a farmers market, quail eggs are something new, at least to some of the local markets I’ve visited.

The small eggs are used in culinary dishes to top a steak or even deviled eggs. But here’s a fun recipe if you want to try something different with the smaller quail egg. Note: Chicken eggs can also be used, but use only one egg instead of the four quail eggs.

Quail eggs in hash brown nests

2 large potatoes (shredded)

1 chicken egg

1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

12 quail eggs

4 springs fresh rosemary (opt)

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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease four ramekins well.

In a bowl, mix shredded potatoes, egg, Parmesan cheese and salt and pepper. Divide it and put in the ramekins. press down in the middle to form a nest.

Bake for 30 minutes or until crisp and brown.

Crack 3 quail eggs in each nest and season with salt and pepper. Bake an additional 5 minutes or until eggs are cooked to your preference.

Note: Again remember that regular eggs can be used just use 1 egg per ramekin.

They farm north of Fergus Falls. and have a quarter acre garden. As the growing season continues, look for squash, pumpkins, tomatoes, cabbage, corn, potatoes, specialty beans and beets from their stand.

Alexus said she has seven ducks, eight chickens and six quail. The money she receives from the sales helps cover feed costs with about 20 percent going in the bank, Alexus said.

Visit Alexus and Jeff at the Fergus Falls Farmers Market Wednesdays from 3-5:30 and Saturdays from 9-1. The market is located on the Otter Tail County Museum grounds.

Alexus Jacobs sells eggs at the Fergus Falls Farmers Market from the chickens, quail and ducks she raises for her 4-H project. Her father, Jeff, assists and guides.