Looking for a healthy and eco friendly activity at Easter? Have you tried colouring eggs with onion skins? The nature loving Baltic countries are renown for their traditional and natural approach to colouring Easter eggs using brown onion skins. Together with select greenery, the final product will be a rich brown colour, infused with delicate detail. Not only will the eggs impress your Easter guests, but they make a wonderful accompaniment (or alternative!) to chocolate eggs!
While there are no strict rules, the general process is as follows
You will need
Eggs at room temperature ( the whiter the egg the better)
Brown onion skins (the darker the better)
A selection of small leaves/flowers from the garden. The smaller and more intricate the better, such as fern leaves, dill, coriander, parsley, or small petaled flowers. We have also used seaweed for a coastal look
Thin denier stockings or gauze.
The process.
Place the onion skins in a saucepan and cover with water. Uh oh… contentious ‘method’ issue alert….. OR wrap the greenery AND the onion skin in the stocking/cotton piece and then bring to boil….. Try both and see which method you prefer!
Take a raw egg and dip into water (this will help your leaves stick to the egg). Place the leaves or flowers directly onto the egg. Stretch the stocking firmly over the egg to hold the leaves or flowers in place. Tie off the stocking with string making the egg sit in a tight nest.
This is your opportunity to let your creativity shine! While traditionally natural materials are used, interesting results can also be achieved using wool, wax and paper cut outs.
Place the wrapped eggs into the saucepan and bring to the boil slowly to avoid cracking the eggs. The onion skins will start to infuse the water with a rich brown colour. Boil the eggs for 8-10 mins. Remove eggs carefully and place them in a bowl of cold water for 3-5 mins. Depending on the number of eggs, the entire cooking process could take up to an hour. Remember that the slower you bring the eggs to the boil the longer they have to develop the beautiful rich colours and patterns.
Finally, cut off the stocking, discard the organic materials into the compost and admire the results. Once the eggs are cool enough to handle, bring up a shine by rubbing the outside of the egg with bacon rind or olive oil.
Now let the games begin!
And for the fun part!!
Let the egg battle begin! Traditionally breakfast on Easter Sunday commences with an egg battle. Each family member chooses an egg and then, holding it so that the smaller end faces up, turns to the person next to them and hits their egg, aiming to break it. They then switch ends and turn to the person on the other side and repeat the process. The one holding an uncracked egg is the winner! (Although without an egg to eat!).
To ensure you don't lie for the rest of the year be sure to eat your eggs with SALT!
Happy Easter from the Nord Haus team!
Don't forget to share pictures of your coloured eggs to Instagram using @nordhausshop for your chance to win a 1 Litre Earth Bowl.
#nordhausshop #colouredeggs #eastereggcolouring #latvianeastereggs #latvianeaster #easteractivities #stayhome
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