Easter Eggs

easter easter eggs easter in Slovenia

Eggs in Onion Skin

Start collecting onion skin as early as one month before Easter. There has to be enough to cover the eggs. The more red onion skin you use, the darker the eggs will be. The number of eggs you decorate is up to you. For decoration, pick various spring plants, leaves and blossoms from a nearby meadow.  The more spread out and dynamic the plant, the better the impression on the egg.

Dry skin of red and brown onions
A few pinches of salt
20 eggs
Different types of grass, leaves and flowers
Stockings – cut in 10x10 cm (4x4 inches) squares
Thread

Dying the eggs requires a large pot. Place in the onion skin and pour in enough water to cover the skin. Add a few pinches of salt. Bring to boil, take off the heat and wait until cool. Cooked onion skin will color the egg shell.

In the meantime, prepare the eggs. Place a flower or a grass stalk on a raw egg. Stretch a square of stockings over the egg and wrap around. Lift the egg, pull all the corners of the stocking to form a bunch and tie securely with a thread.

When ready, carefully place the eggs into the water containing the onion skin. After the water boils, cook at medium heat for 10 minutes. When done, gently take the eggs out and wait until they cool a bit. Cut away the stocking with scissors and wipe the plants off with your finger. Coat with butter or pork fat for a nice shine. 

“Photo-Negative” Eggs

Eggs, as many as you like
A few pinches of salt
3 tbsp vinegar
5 rose hip tea bags

Embellish raw eggs with plants, as in the recipe for Eggs in Onion Skin. Pour water into a large pot, add salt, vinegar and the contents of the rose hip tea bags. Gently lay in the eggs and cook for 10 minutes at medium heat. The acid will color the eggs, which will retain their natural tint only where covered by the plants.

More traditional Slovenian recipes you can find here.

Cookbook with traditional Slovenian recipes