Capers, what is it, how they are prepared and where they are used

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

In the south of Europe, in the northern part of Africa, as well as in Central Asia, a shrub called kapers grows. More precisely, there are several varieties of it, which are mostly thorny and rather unpretentious thickets. Outwardly, they are unsightly, but they give quite tasty fruits, or rather berries, from which, for example, jam can be prepared. However, they are mainly popular exactly where the plant itself is distributed. As for central Europe and other northern countries, caper fruits are quite rare here, mainly in pickled form. And the plant itself is presented on store shelves as unopened buds, which are sold in canned or dried form.

They are most often called the word "capers". What it is, in the post-Soviet space, many do not know, and therefore do not use it in their diet. Although onin fact, this spice can add a certain zest to everyday food.

In European cuisine, caper buds are often found in salads, sauces, soups and snacks in marinated, dried or dried form (as a spice). In the East, the shrub has found wider application. Where this plant is common, both berries and buds (even fresh ones) and leaves are eaten, adding them to salads. In some countries, you can even buy honey from the flowers of this shrub.

As for the domestic market, here you can find mainly pickled capers. What it is has become more or less clear, and how best to use them can be found in the following recipes.

Meat hodgepodge

For those who do not know how to cook capers, but really want to try them, we can advise you to add a little to the hodgepodge, reducing the amount of pickled cucumbers and olives. The dish is prepared according to the traditional recipe, but the composition of the products is slightly changed. So, for 8 servings you need only 2 pickles and 40 gr. olives, to which you will need to add 3 tbsp. l. capers. They, unlike other pickles, are sent to the soup 5 minutes before they are ready, so that they boil a little, giving the broth their taste and aroma.

Salad "Olivier"

This traditional New Year's dish can get a whole new unusual taste if you add capers instead of green peas. What is it, all the guests will definitely ask, giving a reason to create a certain culinary intrigue. For 200 gr. boiled sausage take 2pickles and 1 fresh bunch of green onions, 2 boiled potatoes and 4 eggs, 3 tbsp. l. pickled capers, mayonnaise as a sauce. If desired, you can also use carrots, which will make the dish brighter. It should also be boiled until tender. All ingredients are cleaned, chopped quite finely and mixed. Capers are added whole, seasoned with mayonnaise, garnished with herbs when serving.

Other uses

Dried, capers are often used as seasonings for meat and fish dishes, and marinated - added to salads or sauces. This product will spice up pickle, kharcho or other spicy soup. Meat or fish pie will be tastier if you add pickled capers to the filling (what it is, it became more or less clear). So if you are not afraid to experiment, the buds of this plant will definitely find a place in any refrigerator.