Traditional Greek Easter Eggs (Kokkina Avga)

A staple of Greek Easter celebrations, these vibrant red eggs symbolize renewal and the blood of Christ. They are traditionally cracked against each other in a fun game called "tsougrisma."

This special technique, passed down from my mother, uses leaves and flowers to create beautiful natural patterns. It’s a fun and creative activity, especially for kids! 

(the ones in the photos are made from my kids 8 and 10 years old, in an extreme hurry before a school show)

Ingredients

• 12 white eggs
• 1 packet of red egg dye (or natural dyes like onion skins or beet juice)
• 2 tbsp white vinegar
• Olive oil (for polishing)
• Old stockings (washed and dried) or cheesecloth
• White thread

Instructions

1. Boil the eggs: Place eggs in a pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Simmer for about 8 minutes. Let them cool, then wipe with vinegar and kitchen paper.
2. Prepare the stockings: Cut them into 10cm pieces.
3. Decorate the eggs: Place a leaf or flower on each egg. Wrap it tightly with a piece of stocking and secure it with thread.
4. Dye the eggs: Prepare the dye according to the package instructions. Submerge the wrapped eggs and leave them until they reach the desired color.
5. Dry and reveal: Remove the eggs, let them dry, then carefully cut the stockings and peel off the leaves to reveal the patterns.
6. Polish & serve: Rub the eggs with olive oil for a beautiful shine. Use them for the Easter cracking game or as a beautiful table decoration.

Serving Tips & Variations

• Instead of red, experiment with natural dyes like turmeric (yellow), red cabbage (blue), or spinach (green).
• For a marbled effect, wrap eggs in onion skins and tie them with cheesecloth before boiling.
• Instead of leaves, experiment with lace or stencils for unique designs.
• Serve with traditional Easter bread (tsoureki) for a festive touch.
• Play the traditional Greek Easter game "tsougrisma" by cracking eggs against each other—the one with an unbroken egg is the winner!