Egg shortage? Easter tradition gets a makeover with dyed potatoes

Why some ancient pagan traditions are still part of Easter today

Easter is a time when Christians celebrate the resurrection of Christ, but a few aspects of the holiday were adopted from religions outside of Christianity.

YAKIMA, Wash. – Instead of the annual tradition of dyeing eggs in hues of pinks, yellows and blues, more families across the country may opt for alternatives due to costs and availability.

One increasingly popular option is dyeing potatoes instead of eggs, offering a cost-effective and edible twist to the springtime ritual.

Potatoes provide a sturdy canvas for decorating, and their skins are surprisingly receptive to the vibrant dyes.

Once decorated, the works of art can be hidden in backyards for hunts and even cooked afterward for a hearty meal.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average price of a dozen large eggs has surged above $6.20, while white potatoes remain below 90 cents per pound.

HOW THE EASTER BUNNY AND COLORFUL EGGS ORIGINATED FROM ANCIENT SPRING TRADITIONS

Easter potatoes

(Washington State Potato Commission / FOX Weather)

In the U.S., most potatoes are grown in Idaho and Washington, where the climate and soil conditions are ideal for the crop.

Potatoes thrive in cooler temperatures, where nighttime lows remain in the 50s and 60s and daytime highs stay under 80 degrees, but overly wet soil can increase the risk of decay and delay the sprouting process.

Potato farming is a labor-intensive, year-round effort, with most harvests taking place between July and October.

The Washington State Potato Commission says Reds, Yellows and Russets are great variations that can resemble eggs once decorated.

John Ewing/Staff Photographer: -- Monday, May 19, 2008 -- High-tech farming techniques utilizing GPS technology are allowing potato farms such as the Green Thumb Farm in West Fryeburg to increase production. A tractor kicks up a cloud of dust as it prepares a field for planting of potato seed at the farm.

(Photo by John Ewing/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images / Getty Images)

The process of dyeing potatoes is rather simple and closely mirrors the process of using traditional eggs.

Potato experts suggest that the vegetables should be washed and thoroughly dried before dyeing. 

Some spuds may require gentle scrubbing to remove dirt or small sprouts ahead of the decorating process.

Once clean, the potatoes can be submerged in bowls or plastic bags with water and food coloring for five to ten minutes.

Unlike dyed eggs, which are often discarded after a hunt, decorated potatoes can be reused in the kitchen in various recipes.

BAKED? MASHED? EITHER WAY, HOLIDAY POTATO SUPPLY SOLID DESPITE SLIGHT DIP IN PRODUCTION

Historians believe that the inclusion of eggs in the Christian holiday may have started in Mesopotamia before being adopted by churches across Europe. 

Eggs are said to represent new life and rebirth and came well before modern traditions such as the Easter Bunny and other seasonal decorations.

In 2025, the Easter holiday, which commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, falls on Sunday, April 20.

Staff Photo by Gordon Chibroski, Tuesday, April 6, 2004: Easter potatoes, small new potatoes, get different hues from the different varieties' characteristics.

(Photo by Gordon Chibroski/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images / Getty Images)