the heartwarming tradition of easter eggs
Naturally-Dyed easter eggs and Cherished family times
I was 13 years old and eagerly anticipating Easter Sunday, mainly because my mother had bought me my first high heels and a beautiful dress for church. It was Saturday, April 1st, and all eight children in my family were buzzing with excitement for a holiday we cherished both at home and at church. My parents had a commitment and were out, although they were due to arrive home in two hours. We spent the day coloring eggs, laughing, baking cookies, and preparing for the festivities. Once we finished our projects, I retreated to my room to lay out my clothes and admire the high heels I could hardly wait to wear.
Suddenly, my sister knocked on the door, shouting, “There’s a fire, there’s a fire!” I dismissed her, thinking it was an April Fools’ Day prank. But she soon convinced me, and I opened the door. She pulled me along, and we ran up the stairs. As we reached the top, I saw that my closet and all the closets down the hallway were engulfed in flames. We frantically filled buckets with water and threw them at the fire, but it was no use. We quickly exited the house as the fire trucks arrived. Shortly after, our parents came home, shocked and grateful that no one was injured. It was six months before I walked up those stairs again.
With eight children, finding a place to stay was a challenge. Fortunately, we had wonderful neighbors who believed in community and took care of us. Each child stayed with a different neighbor, and we visited our home occasionally as the upper floor was rebuilt. It’s funny how certain firsts stick with you—your first bike, your first car, or in my case, my first pair of high heels. Those shoes were a big deal to me, and I will always remember my Easter outfit for that Sunday morning.
There are so many meaningful firsts in life, and whether they are followed by tragedy or celebration, they create lasting memories. Today, as I reflect on that experience, I don’t dwell on what I lost in the fire or the time I spent away from my family. Instead, I cherish the joy we shared, the fun we had, and the laughter that filled the room. This is why my family always gets together on Good Friday to color eggs, design, laugh, and experience joy. We spend quality time together and create new firsts, whether it’s coloring eggs naturally or baking something we’ve never tried before. The first time we experience anything is what we remember most. What’s happening in your world? Are you celebrating a family holiday or tradition? Where ever you are whether with family or those who feel like family, savor your time together, try something new, and celebrate the season of rebirth.
Naturally-Dyed easter eggs Recipe
Ingredients
Eggs and Dyeing:
- 20 hard-baked eggs (white or brown, at room temperature)
- Recipe here: https://boncook.com/recipes/hard-baked-eggs/
- 8 cups water
- Distilled white vinegar
- Neutral oil (avocado, vegetable or grapeseed)
Dye Options (per 2 cups water, choose 4)
- 2 cups shredded red beets (pink on white eggs, maroon on brown eggs)
- 2 cups red onion skins (lavender on white eggs, red on brown eggs)
- 2 cups spinach or kale
- 2 cups yellow onion skins (orange on white eggs, rusty red on brown eggs)
- 1/4 cup ground turmeric (yellow eggs)
- 2 cups chopped purple cabbage (blue on white eggs, green on brown eggs)
- 2 cups blueberries (blue eggs)
- 2 cups dried hibiscus flowers (indigo or lavender eggs)
- 2 cups chopped kale or spinach (green eggs)
- 2 cups whole loose tea (various shades depending on the type of tea)
- 4 cups strong black coffee (dark brown eggs)
- 2 cups chopped carrots (light orange eggs)
- 2 cups cranberry juice (pink eggs)
- 2 cups red wine (deep purple eggs)
- 2 cups pomegranate seeds (deep pink to red eggs)
Instructions
Prepare Dye:
- Combine 2 cups water and your chosen dye ingredient (e.g., purple cabbage, onion skins, kale, spinach, or loose tea) in a saucepan.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-30 minutes until the color is a few shades darker than desired. Test the color by dripping a bit onto a white dish.
Strain and Cool:
- Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
- Strain through a fine-mesh strainer into another saucepan or bowl, pressing solids to extract liquid. Discard solids.
- Measure strained liquid and add 2 tablespoon distilled white vinegar per cup of liquid. Stir to combine.
Dye Eggs:
- Place 6 room-temperature, hard-boiled eggs in a round mold or container. Pour cooled dye over eggs, ensuring they are fully submerged.
- Refrigerate until desired color is reached, from a few hours to overnight. For more vibrant colors, repeat soaking and drying process.
- Finish Eggs:
- Once dyed, dry eggs thoroughly with paper towels.
- Rub a small amount of neutral oil onto each egg and polish with a paper towel.
- Refrigerate until ready to use.
Tips for Refrigeration and Storage
- Refrigerate Promptly: After dyeing, place the eggs back in the refrigerator as soon as possible to prevent bacterial growth.
- Use a Container: Store the eggs in a covered container or an egg carton to protect them from absorbing odors from other foods in the fridge.
- Avoid Cracks: Handle the eggs gently to avoid cracks, as cracked eggs can spoil more quickly.
- Label and Date: If you have multiple batches of dyed eggs, label them with the date they were dyed to keep track of their freshness.
- Consume Within a Week: Hard-boiled eggs, whether dyed or not, should be consumed within one week for optimal freshness and safety.
- Keep Cool: If you plan to display the eggs, keep them out of direct sunlight and in a cool place. Return them to the refrigerator when not on display.
Experiment with different natural ingredients to create a variety of colors. These eggs are safe to eat!
BONTIP: Use natural ingredients like vegetables, fruits, and teas to create beautiful, safe-to-eat dyed Easter eggs. Experiment with different ingredients to achieve a variety of colors.
