Naturally Dyed Eggs

Use onion skins for a beautiful batik effect. Save the papery skins of yellow onions until you have a big bagful, or ask your supermarket’s produce manager to let you collect loose skins from the onion bin. Tear the skins into bits and place piles of them in 8-inch squares of cheesecloth. Place a raw egg in the center of each pile, and tie the cheesecloth around it in a tight bundle, making sure the egg is completely covered by the onion skins. Place the eggs in a large pot with enough cold water to cover. Heat until the water begins to boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for approximately 20 minutes. Remove the pot from the stove and let the eggs sit in the water until they are cool enough to handle. Carefully unwrap the eggs, dry them, and place them in a decorative bowl or basket. The onion skins impart no flavor to the eggs, and their rich mottled copper color will make a most unusual spring centerpiece.

This article was first published in The Heritage Kitchen April newsletter and was written by Edythe Preet.