Old-Fashioned Egg Coloring

Old-Fashioned Easter Egg Coloring

Over the years, I have colored Easter eggs many ways. I have dipped them, swirled them, and have even colored on them with crayon. But my favorite method, the way my mother was taught, and the way she passed down to me, is by using onionskins.

If you never heard of this method, you are in for a treat. Many years ago, people colored eggs the simple, natural way of using dyes from plants. Especially during the Great Depression, people had to rely on items they had around the house. As a result, this method only uses a few simple items: an old cotton sheet, a spool of thread, onionskins, and of course, eggs.

To begin, save all of your onionskins. To ensure that mold doesn't form while you are collecting your skins, store them in an old butter tub or other plastic container with the lid off, and then set them in an out-of-the-way place, such as one of your kitchen cabinets or under the sink. The plastic container will serve to protect the skins from being crushed.

Now for the coloring process: wrap an uncooked egg in the onionskins, covering it completely. It is important that there is no white shell showing through. If there is, that part will not be dyed. Next, carefully wrap the egg in a square that you cut out of the cotton sheet (about 6"x6"). Finally, wrap the thread around the egg in all directions so that approximately 20-25% of the surface is covered. This will ensure that the skins are thoroughly making contact with the egg. There is no need to tie off the thread as it is so well wrapped that it really will not unravel.

When this process is completed for all the eggs, place them in a pot. After covering them with water, place the lid on the pot and heat over low flame. When it starts to boil, set the timer for 10 minutes. Remove from the fire when the time is up. Let the pot sit with the lid on for about 15 minutes. This will not only set the color, but will also complete the hard-boiling process. Finally, drain the water.

When the eggs are cool enough to touch, unwrap and discard the thread, material, and onionskins. What is left is a beautifully marbled egg. To make it shiny, rub butter over the surface.

If you do try this method of coloring this year, I'm sure you will thoroughly enjoy the simplicity and fun of the project, not to mention the wonder of uncovering the egg to see the design and colors. Just be warned…you will need a lot of skins. So start collecting now! :o)

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