Caper Berries

Look what I found at Whole Foods this week: Caper Berries. They were in among the olives, with their stems attached and looking nonchalant, but I could tell they were not really olives. They were pretending. One taste and their unique, almost grainy texture and vinegar-eucalyptus flavor let me know this would make an interesting addition to the appetizer tray.

Caper berries are simply the larger, more mature version of the tiny pickled caperberries that many of us have seen and used before. Caperberries grow wild all throughout the Meditteranean area, are picked and brined in vinegar. They add a zesty tang to salads and fresh sauces over fish, or wherever a little piquancy is welcome. Caperberries combine nicely with olive oil, lemon juice, anchovies and garlic.

A common way to use the smaller capers is in chicken piccata.  The same sauce could easily finish your favorite seafood. The larger caper berry, pictured above, is more often eaten as an appetizer, like an olive. 

What's your favorite way to use caperberries? Let me know in the comments.

Comments

[Kalyn]

Never had them, but always wanted to try some. So how did you like them?

[Andrea]

I thought the caper berries were interesting for a change, but on the whole I prefer olives. I am not wild about the kind of grainy, pulpy texture. I also prefer the small pea sized or smaller caperberries. ("nonpareil" I think they are called.)

Thanks for your interest.

[Elise]

I saw caper berries at WF too! Will have to pick some up soon. The first time I had them was at Paul Martin's Bistro in Roseville. They serve them with their salumi plate. Love them.

[Andrea]

I think they are best along with other nibbles, esp. good bread!

Been meaning to get out to Paul Martins Bistro...

Thanks for the visit. :)

[rita nielsen]

i have seen them used as garnish for lamb. this is exactly why i bought them. I will also try with olive oil, lemon & anchovie

[Tina]

I crave caperberries! I use insteadd of olives in Martini's. 'dirty' it up a bit by pouring a little of the brine into the vodka!

[Lisa]

I just bought 3 jars of caper berries at HEB in austin for a quarter each! was wondering what to do with them.
Thanks