Easter Eggs
Easter Eggs

The tradition unfolds on Holy Thursday.

The significance of onion leaves comes to light.

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On Holy Thursday, as is customary in Crete, we engage in the tradition of dyeing Easter eggs. Some are adorned with leaves or petals from assorted flowers. These decorated eggs are then carefully wrapped in thin tulle, tightly secured, and immersed into a pot containing onion leaves. After a brief drying period, the tulle is removed, unveiling intricately patterned red eggs, adorned with the imprint of the leaves or flower petals, creating stunning designs.

Lena Igoumenaki

President of the Cretan Cuisine Festival Association

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Cretan Cuisine Festival

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Mizithropites: Authentic Cretan Pies

Meat cake

Meat cake

Chania Boureki or Courgette Boureki

Chania Boureki or Courgette Boureki

Topia (Balls)

Topia (Balls)

The Traditional 'Bread of the Year'

The Traditional 'Bread of the Year'

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Snails with Broad Beans and Artichokes

Cretan Ospriada or Palikaria (A Legume Dish)

Cretan Ospriada or Palikaria (A Legume Dish)

Chickpeas with Wild Leeks, Flour and Lemon Sauce

Chickpeas with Wild Leeks, Flour and Lemon Sauce

Pies with ‘Yachnera’ Greens

Pies with ‘Yachnera’ Greens

Fennel Pie

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Sfakian Pie or Sfakianopita

Sfakian Pie or Sfakianopita

Biscuits with Sesame Seeds

Biscuits with Sesame Seeds

Sweet Rice Pie or 'Tzoulamas'

Sweet Rice Pie or 'Tzoulamas'

Apostoli White-Eyed Bean

Apostoli White-Eyed Bean

Almond-Infused Goat Dish with Fennel: A Fresh Delight

Almond-Infused Goat Dish with Fennel: A Fresh Delight

Lazarosavato

Lazarosavato

The Holy Week Sourdough

The Holy Week Sourdough

Nerati Mizithropita

Nerati Mizithropita

Kalikota

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Stuffed Courgette Flowers

Stuffed Courgette Flowers

Stuffed Vine Leaves

Stuffed Vine Leaves

Cracked Wheat and Snails

Cracked Wheat and Snails

Chochli Boubouristi (Snails Face Down)

Chochli Boubouristi (Snails Face Down)

Mangiri

Mangiri

Symian Bean

Symian Bean

Cretan Pilaf

Cretan Pilaf

Rethymno Water Pies

Rethymno Water Pies

Xerotigana

Xerotigana

Agnopites

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Patoudo

Patoudo

Safidota

Safidota

Kakavia (Fish Soup)

Kakavia (Fish Soup)

Cretan Greek salad

Cretan Greek salad

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The Sweet Bounty of the Cretan Harvest

Okra and Unripe Grape

Okra and Unripe Grape

Kapriko

Kapriko

Discovering and Cooking Asphodelaceae: A Taste of Local Cuisine

Discovering and Cooking Asphodelaceae: A Taste of Local Cuisine

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Moustokouloura

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Pie with 'Yachnera' Greens: Baked to Perfection

Pumpkin Stifado

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Sweet Pumpkin Pies with Raki Leaves (Oven)

Xinochondros: Sour Bulgur Pasta

Xinochondros: Sour Bulgur Pasta

Prickly Pear or Indian Fig

Prickly Pear or Indian Fig

Black Bryony

Black Bryony

Tahini Soup without Oil

Tahini Soup without Oil

Chylofta with Milk

Chylofta with Milk

Tyrozouli or Cretan Home Cheese

Tyrozouli or Cretan Home Cheese

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Pickled Tassel Hyacinth

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Sourdough Dagoulakia

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Delicious Homemade Treat with Lemon Blossoms

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Dietary Practices in 17th Century Crete

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Lychnarakia

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Lazarakia

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Kalitsounia from Chania

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Apaki with Xinohondros and Vegetables

Chickpeas with Yachnera: A Delightful Dish

Chickpeas with Yachnera: A Delightful Dish

Gastrin

Gastrin

Fotokollyva

Fotokollyva

Dyeing Easter Eggs with Madder Root and Flower Blossoms

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Biza or Manarolia Stew with Eggplants

Biza or Manarolia Stew with Eggplants