It’s that time of year already?”spring. Of course, during spring we have Easter, which is early this year (something about the first Sunday after a full moon or something like that). It is obviously more that I care to know; I just rely on the calendar to inform me when Easter will be.
Easter has its own special traditions, one of which, for me, is not to cook. Not wanting to break with tradition, the Kosey clan will be going out for brunch, which does not entirely relieve me from any other preparations.
What preparations you may ask? Aside from shopping, which is always in season, I need to get Easter basket items and chocolate, naturally. And then there’s always coloring eggs, of course, which I find myself doing solo with the help of a Paas egg coloring kit.
Being a simple egg colorer myself, I marvel at the egg artistry of many different cultures. Did you know coloring eggs is symbolic of spring and sunlight (so color lots of eggs yellow)?
In Greece, crimson eggs are given. The color is meant to remind people of the blood of Christ.
In Germany and Austria, eggs are predominately green and given out on Holy Thursday, which makes me wonder if Dr. Seuss got his idea for green eggs from the Austrians or Germans. The Austrians also take the time to attach tiny ferns and plants to uncooked eggs. After they are boiled the ferns and plants are removed, and the patterns show up on the eggs.
The Slavic countries are more elaborate, using gold and silver colors and make patterns on their eggs. The Poles and Ukrainians detail their eggs with the use of design and color. Hollowed eggs are the handiwork of the Armenians who blow out the inside of the eggs (I bet they eat a lot of scrambled eggs in Armenia) and decorate them with religious pictures and designs.
Once in an attempt to be more creative, yours truly dyed eggs with naturals things?”onion skins, tea leaves and such. Needless to say, I did it only once and have since relied on commercial coloring to satisfy my creative urge.
I do use the wax crayons to write names on the eggs, and was angry with Husband Joe when he ate the egg with my name on it last year. Doesn’t read directions, doesn’t read the name on eggs.
Bunnies are big at Easter. Why? Because they are a symbol of spring and fertility. The origins of the rabbit and hare as symbols can be found in early German writing dating as far back as the 1500s. Edible rabbits can also be traced to Germany in the early 1800s and were made of pastry and sugar.
Americans learned of the use of rabbits at Easter time from folklore brought to this country by the Germans who settled in the Pennsylvania Dutch country around 1700.
Eggs and bunnies now come in edible forms, chocolate being the favorite, shaped into cakes. Who can’t forget getting a chocolate bunny and wondering where to take the first bite? The ears go first for me. Aunt Diana’s has eggs and rabbits to suit every age and taste, big and small, milk chocolate, dark and white chocolate.
Or how about the lamb cake covered with coconut? Great centerpiece, but hated to cut into it. Traditions and symbols part of a season of awakening and may your Easter bonnet stay dry.
Whatever you may be celebrating, I wish you a happy spring.
