Chickens Think It’s a Yolk : It’s No Shell Game, French Firm Makes Square Eggs

Eggs may not all be egg-shaped anymore if a French firm’s marketing plan succeeds in the United States.

In a move that might leave even chickens scratching their heads, the firm hopes to sell “square eggs” in gourmet shops across the nation soon.

The square eggs are really fully cooked, reconstituted hard egg cubes, two-thirds of an inch square, currently being marketed by the firm Ov’Action Inc., of Lieven, France.

One advantage is that they can be cooked in a microwave oven, unlike the from-the-hen variety whose shells can create a messy explosion if they are microwaved.

The squares are not available in the United States yet, but federal approval for a private tasting of the square egg has already been received.

The microwave-cooked, pasteurized and/or homogenized egg cubes contain three layers of egg--white on top and bottom and yellow in between. It has a 21-day shelf life when stored at cool temperatures and sells for around $2 for a 24-pack in some French food stores.

It is supposed to make an excellent salad garnishing or be used in making canapes for parties and can be served as a substitute for most types of cooked eggs.